Life, with its twists and turns, often lands us on paths we never anticipated. One moment, you’re going about your regular day, and the next, life throws a curveball that changes everything. As a spine surgeon, I am frequently humbled to be a part of these life-changing journeys, helping individuals regain their strength, mobility, and joy. Sometimes that requires a kyphoplasty procedure.
Take our patient today, for example. An ordinary workday turned into an ordeal when a severe accident left them with five compression fractures in his spine. The severity of his condition required a well-thought-out plan. The chosen approach? A minimally invasive technique called a kyphoplasty procedure, performed on two vertebrae at a time.
Kyphoplasty is a marvel of modern medicine. During this procedure, a small balloon is carefully inserted into the compressed vertebra. This balloon is then inflated, gently expanding the squashed vertebra back to its original height. Precision is key here, which is why we use Jamshidi needles, designed specifically for bone procedures, to drill directly into the affected bone. Following this, we inject a special bone cement known as polymethylmethacrylate through a hollow needle right into the fractured bone.
This intricate process has a profound impact. The cement not only strengthens the vertebra but also restores its normal shape and size. Though fractures can heal on their own, without treatment, these would heal in a collapsed position. The result of this kyphoplasty procedure? Our patient can stand tall again, reduce their pain, and significantly reduces the risk of further fractures.
But our journey with our patients doesn’t end here. We believe in continuous care and support, helping them navigate their recovery journey with ease.
Struggling with chronic back or neck pain? Give William Capicotto MD a call today or fill out the form below to schedule a consultation.
