Kyphoplasty In The Management Of Osteporosis!

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder, which causes fragility of bones. In the absence of proper prevention and treatment modalities, osteoporosis can cause a painless progression and subsequent fractures. Such fractures (broken bones) mostly occur in the hip, spine, or wrist. As per several past data-driven studies conducted in the United States of America, 1.5 million new fractures are witnessed in people with osteoporosis every year. Of these, spine fractures are seen in 700,000; hip fractures in 300,000; wrist fractures in 250,000; and fractures of other bones in 250,000 people.

Possible Causes of Osteoporosis

1. Hormonal imbalances Pregnancy
2. Metabolic diseases Cancer
3. Age beyond 60-65 years
4. Symptoms of Osteoporosis-Induced Compression Fractures
5. Significant upper or lower back pain
6. Changes in posture
7. Difficulty with breathing and digestion
8. Decreased ability to walk
9. An overall decrease in the quality of life Increased tendency for fracture of adjacent vertebrae

Treatment

Compression fractures are usually managed with pain medications; narcotic pain medicines are administered for a few months until the pain decreases. Also, few available medications are known to increase the bone density. It is hoped that by building the bone density, future fractures can be prevented. Another method is immobilization of the spine with a brace that helps decrease pain from a broken vertebra; however, such braces are helpful only for the fractures of the lower back.

Role of Kyphoplasty in the Management of Osteoporosis

Kyphoplasty is a procedure that involves a new technology whereby an osteoporotic compression fracture can be treated with relief in pain, restoration of the lost bone height, and immediate stabilization of the fracture with the injection of bone cement.

How is kyphoplasty done?

The procedure is carried out via two A½’’ incisions on each side of the affected vertebra. The technique utilizes X-ray equipment to place working tools into the collapsed vertebra. This step is followed by an insertion of an inflatable bone tamp or expander into the fractured vertebra on each side, after which, the balloons are slowly inflated, lifting up the fractured portion of the vertebra to a more normal height. The balloons are then deflated, and cement is slowly injected. Excellent restoration of fractures, which are less than 4-6 months old and better than 90% success at reducing pain associated with the broken vertebra, is seen with kyphoplasty.

Which patients can benefit from kyphoplasty?

1. Patients with a recent vertebral compression fracture due to osteoporosis
2. Patients with fractures which are less than 4 months old
3. Patients with fractures who are on chronic prednisone or steroids
4. Complications from this procedure have been primarily related to patients who have been on blood thinner medications.
5. Potential complications also include cement leaking out of the vertebra and into inappropriate areas.