Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/542735
Halting the Pain What Ibrahim, a fellowship-trained spinal surgeon, had done was a procedure called kyphoplasty to stabilize Meldrum's compression fracture, which results when an external force compresses the marshmallow-shaped vertebra. In Meldrum's case, the injury might have happened when she fell getting off of a chairlift. In patients with particularly brittle bones, the force of something as benign as a sneeze can be enough to cause the fracture. "You can then get a variety of fracture lines in the vertebra, and because the vertebrae are very heavily loaded with nerve endings, it can be quite painful," Ibrahim says. Ibrahim first suggests conservative treatment, such as pain medications, rest and bracing, and always tests for osteoporosis in a non-diagnosed patient. Meldrum, whose mother suffered from severe osteoporosis, was relieved to learn her scan revealed adequate bone strength. But after another X-ray showed her vertebra had continued to compress, and Ibrahim told her of the kyphoplasty option, Meldrum pondered the small but real risks that come with any medical procedure and said: "Sign me up." Although her pain wasn't severe, it was incessant, she says. "It was just wearing me down." Compression fractures eventually heal with conservative approaches, but it can take as long as a year, Ibrahim says. "Some patients just don't want to deal with the immobility and the pain that long," he says, adding that more patients are opting for the procedure, especially with the quicker, much-less-expensive outpatient option. Quick and Effective For a single vertebral fracture, kyphoplasty involves one incision often less than 1/6th of an inch. A tube with a tiny balloon is inserted and inflated, restoring the height of the vertebra. The balloon is then extracted and surgical cement injected, which sets within minutes. It takes about 20 minutes per vertebra to perform the procedure, and the patient walks away generally pain- free and back to daily living. The success rate exceeds 90 percent, Ibrahim says. Ibrahim recommends kyphoplasty for patients who might suffer serious problems from extended periods of immobility, such as pneumonia or blood clots. He also performs the procedure in the hospital if patients are good candidates but have other health issues, such as heart or lung disease. And while he says it's an effective procedure, he adds that patients with compression fractures generally have some degree of osteoporosis. "So being treated with kyphoplasty is winning the battle, but you still are fighting the war against osteoporosis." Especially after watching her mother suffer from severe pain and deformity from osteoporosis and untreated compression fractures, Meldrum says she would recommend the procedure to others. "If they could have just done something like this for her, she would have had a much better last few years of her life. I just marvel at how many more things they can do today. It's just great." Medical Profile • 15 Kyphoplasty involves inserting a tiny balloon into a vertebra that has been compressed using fluoroscopic imaging and the IVAS (Inflatable Vertebral Augmenta - tion System) by Stryker. The balloon is then inflated, reducing the fracture. After deflating and extracting the balloon, the surgeon injects a special acrylic ce - ment into the space, which sets quickly and acts as a permanent cast, restoring normal height. "I was a little bit nervous, but they kept saying that it was so minimally invasive, and then the fact that I could do it right there in their procedural center without having to go to the hospital — that made a difference." 54 Million The number of Americans living with or at risk for osteoporosis, a disease that results in low bone mass. (National Osteoporosis Foundation) Kyphosis Defined Exaggerated curvature of the spine, often resulting in a hunchback. The most common cause is compression and cracking of the spinal bones due to osteoporosis, or brittle-bone disease. Visit www.southdenverspine.com or call 720.851-2000 to learn more Parker/Centennial 15530 E. Broncos Pkwy Suite 100 Littleton South Broadway Medical Center 7261 S. Broadway, Suite 101B Castle Rock Alexander Building 2352 Meadows Blvd, Suite 300