What You Need To Know About Kyphoplasty
The Kyphoplasty Procedure & When Should You Get It
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat patients with osteoporosis or other bone diseases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in 2002. Since then, it’s been an effective method for many patients in the U.S.
But why is it so effective? What are its advantages? An Alvin interventional pain medicine physician in Lake Jackson will answer these questions in the article below.
What Chronic Conditions Need A Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a procedure used to treat spinal compression fractures. Compression fractures happen when the cancellous bone (the porous bone inside your vertebrae compresses.
Compression fractures can be caused by trauma, such as a fall or a car accident, but they can also occur without causing injury.
The most common type of fracture in people with osteoporosis is a spinal compression fracture.
Metastatic tumors are linked to compression fractures because they commonly spread in and around the spine, putting pressure on the vertebrae and causing them to weaken and collapse.
A compression fracture commonly manifests as severe back pain that worsens with time, when moving, or when standing still.
This fracture can result in irreversible deformity, disability, loss of height, and persistent discomfort if not treated promptly.
In extreme situations, patients may develop symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the legs, loss of bladder control, or difficulty walking, all of which indicate that emergency medical assistance is required.
When Should I Get A Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is not for everyone. The best way to determine if you need it is to speak with an interventional pain medicine physician in Clear Lake City.
You may have questions about your back pain and treatment alternatives when you see your doctor; thinking about these ahead of time will help you better comprehend your condition.
To diagnose a compression fracture, your doctor may perform a physical exam, bone density test, and a series of imaging studies such as an MRI scan, X-ray, CT scan, or bone scan. They will also ask you questions about your health, symptoms, and medical history to determine the cause of your fracture.
If you have a spinal compression fracture, your doctor will design your custom-made care plan. In most cases, non-surgical therapy, such as activity modification, back bracing, and pain medications can repair compression fractures.
If non-surgical treatments do not improve your condition, your doctor may recommend a vertebral augmentation procedure, such as kyphoplasty, to correct the fracture.
How Is The Kyphoplasty Process?
As with any operation or surgery, it’s crucial to be aware of how to prepare, and what to do to hasten recovery afterward.
Before Starting The Procedure
Make sure you’re in excellent health before any spinal procedure; this will simplify the healing process.
Maintain a healthy diet, take care of ongoing medical issues, quit alcohol and tobacco, and adhere to any other instructions your interventional pain medicine physician in Clute provides.
Additionally, your doctor will tell you how to get ready the day before the procedure.
What Happens During The Kyphoplasty Procedure?
Your surgeon will decompress the fractured vertebra during kyphoplasty. They will introduce a small tube containing a balloon and gradually inflate the balloon using an X-ray as their guide until the vertebra returns to its previous size and shape.
Then, the doctor will use a tiny needle to stabilize the fractured vertebra with bone cement.
Only a team of board-certified spinal physicians can perform kyphoplasty operations in-office. This technique is minimally invasive. It can be performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation, with no hospital stay, and in less than an hour.
Right After The Kyphoplasty Procedure
You might still feel sedated after the surgery, so ensure someone escorts you safely home.
Also, follow all instructions from your healthcare provider, attend follow-up appointments, and notify your doctor of any changes. You can relieve any pain with hot and cold therapy (we recommend using ice and a heating pad).
As you can see, the process is simple and minimally invasive; it won’t take you long into the doctor’s office. We still suggest contacting a reliable interventional pain medicine physician in Dickinson to guarantee successful and long-lasting results.
What Is The Success Rate Of Kyphoplasty & How Long Does It Take To Recover?
Kyphoplasty is a highly safe, reliable, and minimally invasive surgery. You may need long-term treatments to protect yourself from further bone loss and injury in some conditions. It includes having an osteoporosis compression fracture.
While some post-procedure soreness is to be expected, most patients report significant pain relief within the first 24 hours. Most patients can return home quickly after their surgery and resume normal daily activities; however, you should avoid strenuous activities that cause strain on your back, such as lifting heavy items and exercising.
Recovery time and limits will vary from person to person and rely on many factors, such as overall health, the number of compression fractures treated, and whether or not there were any complications during the treatment.
Contact a League City Interventional Pain Medicine Physician
Our board-certified healthcare professionals at Evolution Pain and Spine are experts in spinal health and procedures. We’ll collaborate with you to select the best course of action. Schedule a consultation to get started!
Locations:
League City
3725 East League City Parkway, 240
League City, TX 77573
Phone: 281-916-1012
Fax: 281-916-1073
Sugar Land
17510 West Grand Parkway South, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Phone: 281-916-1012
Lake Jackson
201 Oak Drive South, Suite 104
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Phone: 281-916-1012
