A grandmother is bending down to pick up a bucket, and she feels a quick crack in her back. The old man coughs so badly that he can't stand up for days. These fractures can occur on any fall - even a minor one- as the vertebrae are so brittle due to osteoporosis. When left untreated, they can cause a person to become bedridden, hunched, in pain, and independence can pass by the family without their knowledge.
The positive is that treatment is no longer confined to long bed rest and heavy braces.
In a compression fracture, the vertebra collapses like a sponge that is being compressed. The pain is sometimes severe, and every fracture increases the danger of another fracture occurring. Most patients will experience loss of height, a forward curve in the back and gradually cease walking and socializing. Early evaluation is important, as the type of fracture and the condition of the bones and whether the nerves are involved will determine the correct approach.
Today, spine fracture treatment in India includes pain control, bracing, bone-strengthening medications, cement procedures, and surgery for unstable fractures, using screws and rods. The same image-guided techniques are used in spine fracture treatment in Kolkata, as in the big centres around the world.
The procedures are both performed with a needle and under X-ray, and both involve the use of medical bone cement to hold the fractured vertebra in place.
The cement is directly injected into the collapsed bone during vertebroplasty. The balloon is used in kyphoplasty to make room for the cement and, if possible, help to return some height; then the cement is inserted. The risk for leakage is less with kyphoplasty, and the procedure takes a bit longer, but the cement is put into a formed opening at a lower pressure.
The answer to which one is better than the other is not obvious when patients ask about Vertebroplasty vs Kyphoplasty. This depends on the age, shape and location of the fracture, along with the findings of the scan.
Many patients leave the hospital the same day or the next day with some relief from pain, and after 1 or 2 days, the pain is generally gone. The time for the elderly to get up and around after Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty is typically measured in days, and full comfortable activity typically takes a couple of weeks. Early walking is encouraged as it will help prevent bone loss and loss of strength in the muscles. The Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty recovery time in the elderly is remarkably fast compared to conventional surgeries, with less blood loss and less pain.
Treatment of osteoporosis simultaneously with recovery improves recovery. The procedure is as important as calcium, vitamin D, prescribed bone medicines and gentle exercise.
Both are low-risk, compared with open surgery, and many can take place under light sedation and local anaesthetic. This is especially beneficial for patients with heart or lung issues. Under the expert care of the best spine surgeon, Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty safety in the elderly is ensured with advanced guidance and top-notch techniques.
However, care must be taken in the selection of patients for Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty in older adults. The possible risks can be caused by negligence and include:
The procedures are not appropriate for all. When active infections, uncorrected bleeding disorders or fractures with compression of the spinal cord are present, a different approach is typically necessary.
Find a surgeon who will examine you, review an MRI or CT scan personally and explain why a procedure would be a good option for your fracture. As much as he will talk about cement, a Top Spine Surgeon will discuss alternatives. He will tell you when rest and medication will be sufficient. Find out how to strengthen the bone after the procedure, whether it is performed under X-ray and what warning signs might mean you should return soon.
Do not think that back pain is a sign of ageing if it comes on suddenly after a slight strain. Schedule an appointment, bring your X-rays and a list of medications, and receive a comprehensive plan.
