KYPHOPLASTY FOR SPINAL FRACTURES PRODUCES DRAMATIC RESULTS

By Alexa Morgan

Individuals experiencing pain from vertebral compression fractures in the spine may benefit from a state-of-theart, minimally invasive spine surgery called kyphoplasty. A unique procedure that repairs damaged vertebrae in the spine, kyphoplasty stabilizes the spinal fracture through the use of orthopedic balloons and bone cement.

Kyphoplasty can instantly reduce back pain and decrease the risk of serious health problems, including difficulty breathing, limited mobility, and future vertebral compression fractures at other locations in the spine. This procedure is commonly referred to as “vertebral augmentation” because it stabilizes bone in the spine and restores, or “augments,” lost vertebral height. It’s just one of the advanced treatment options available to chronic pain patients at Southwest Spine and Pain Center.

“Kyphoplasty can reduce people’s pain dramatically quite quickly,” said Dr. Bryt Christensen, a pain management specialist at the clinic’s St. George location. “For that reason, it’s a very satisfying procedure for us to perform.”

Dr. Bryt Christensen, Pain Management Specialist, Southwest Spine & Pain Center

What conditions can kyphoplasty treat?

In general, kyphoplasty is a treatment intended to relieve chronic pain due to severe vertebral compression fractures, which can be common with advanced osteoporosis.

Spinal compression fractures can also occur due to traumatic injuries of the spine, including those sustained during a fall from a considerable height or other impact injuries.

Benefits of kyphoplasty

Until the use of kyphoplasty and similar minimally invasive procedures, there were few treatment options for spinal compression fractures beyond bracing, medications, and invasive spinal surgery. Kyphoplasty has many benefits, including short recovery time, minimal blood loss, and short procedure time. Many patients are able to return to normal activities very quickly following the procedure. Recent studies have shown that kyphoplasty also significantly reduces the risk of mortality in elderly patients. “Very few medical procedures have those kinds of dramatic results,” Christensen said.

Are you a candidate for kyphoplasty?

Patients with moderate to severe chronic back pain from spinal fractures should consult the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center to determine if they’re a candidate for kyphoplasty. This procedure is usually recommended for those suffering from symptoms that include chronic or severe pain, limited mobility, decreased lung capacity, and difficulty sleeping.

Kyphoplasty may also be suggested to those with recent osteoporotic compression fractures that have occurred within the past eight weeks. Unfortunately, it cannot rectify previous and alreadyestablished spinal deformities. Moreover, certain types of osteoporosis may not qualify for treatment.

Schedule a consultation at Southwest Spine and Pain Center to find out if you’re a candidate for kyphoplasty. With fifteen locations in Utah and growing, the clinic’s pain management specialists are dedicated to helping those suffering from spine and chronic pain conditions. “You’re in good hands with our board-certified physicians,” Christensen said. “We have great outcomes for patients.”

Visit www.southwestspineandpain.com or call today to start living the life you want!

Southwest Spine & Pain Center Locations:

2891 E. Mall Drive, Ste. 101, St. George, UT; 435-656-2424

25 N. 2000 W., Ste. B, Hurricane, UT; 435-635-0174

1303 N. Main St., Cedar City, UT; 435-586-2229

(Contributed content. Used with permission of St. George News.)

About the Author

Alexa Morgan works as a reporter for St. George News/STGnews.com and has more than a decade of experience in news and magazine writing. She is committed to keeping the community informed with journalism of the highest quality standard. Originally from Southern California, she now proudly makes her home beneath the big red mountain in Ivins.