Fast Fix for Fractured Spine

Fifty percent of women and 25% of men will suffer a compression fracture in their lifetime. Many times it’s their spine that bears the brunt. Patients are usually elderly people who have osteoporosis or soft bones.

“Once they develop this fracture it’s extremely painful. It’s difficult to do daily activities. It’s difficult to get out of bed, it’s difficult to get in to bed, bathing is difficult,” says Dr. Paul Fuchs. He is an orthopedic surgeon on medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System.

Almost every movement is difficult, though sustaining a fracture takes little effort.

“Maybe they sit down vigorously on a sofa, or step off of a curb, maybe they didn’t see the bottom of a step, they’re carrying a heavy bag of groceries and they can sustain a fracture,” says Dr. Fuchs.

There is now a relatively fast fix for fractures. A procedure called kyphoplasty reinforces the bone from the inside. Sometimes called internal casting, it addresses the break and alleviates pain.

“We’ll put a small balloon into the fracture and try and re-create the proper alignment. And then fill the bone with bone cement to try and harden the bone. Essentially heal the fracture within minutes.”

With a minimally invasive approach, patients are less likely to experience dangerous symptoms caused by inactivity—like pneumonia.

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

[AndrewDabs]

I have a t5, t6, and t7 compression fractures. 27 years old. I’m very blessed to still be alive and walking 🙏

[aurasphere]

I just fractured my c1 & c2 and t5 & t6. Im very lucky to be here... hoping to recover fully.

[carmellalane]

The surgery was minimally invasive and I had zero pain afterwards, T11-T12 fractured 5yrs and still healthy

[sweetswing]

This operation is not a cure all. It actually can increase risk of further fractures. It reduces pain in the short term but has not benefit long term and may cause harm. That is from one of the top neuro surgeons in Canada.

[andreamarialew]

I’m 37 and have 6 vertebrae fractures I can tell you they are very painful 😢

[drd]

I broke my L4 and the discs were damaged
I found out i have spinal stenosis as well and I’ve been in extreme pain
Both my legs are numb
Walking is so hard it hurts so much
I have constant muscle spasms that are increasing and more painful than i would ever have believed

[drd]

My l4 is fractured with two herniated discs
I am 26
I have balance issues from a part of my foot being amputated from a chemical burn
I fell on my tailbone area
Full fall bc i was holding a big bowl of water for my dog. So i didn’t catch myself
I heard a crunchy when i landed
My leg is numb. RT leg
I have excruciating sciatica
And I’m on prednisone and it’s the only thing that will stop most of the pain. Without it I’m housebound i can barely walk and bare weight

[mikailahjensen]

When I firt had my 2 compressed fractures, it felt like my insides were super heavy and trying to fall our of my stomach, loads of pressure. Pain that radiated all around my back and front. Had T-12 and L-3 with the L1 twisted.

[abrahamnutrition]

I am a 54 yr old male that sustained a 50% comprssion fracture to my L1. I do not have insurance so i am not really getting care of any kind. I had a Dr. tell me he wouldn't suggest kyphoplasty. I have also been diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. I have always been very active and have eaten healthy. I have been in pain for over 7 months now. I am at a loss. I am supplementing but other than that I don't know what to do?

[LoveyDovey-ztoe]

Why is it such a problem when you tell the exray tec that you are hurting when they put you on a table to check for liver problems and osteoporosis and the table has a gap of part leaving a painful back. What can you do or a safe exercise to help pain?

[AjaySingh-cj]

Wedge fracture of D12 vertebral body (Genant type 1) is seen with its retro pulsion posteriorly into the spinal canal causing it's severe spinal canal stenosis ( AP diameter ~8 mm) at D11-D12 level with associated T2/STIR hyper intensity in spinal cord cranial and caudal to it ( from D9-L1 levels) ... s/o mylitis. There is significant soft tissue edema in the intramuscular and subcutaneous is my MRI report please suggest me

[sealifett]

I was in 1O wheeler dump truck where the bed failed 3/4 way up and dropped down.i hit the ceiling of the cab and crushed and fractured one of my vertebrae/Was wondering if its a permanent pain.I stopped the pain killers after 4 days.Still get pain if i bend or lift stuff.I am hoping it will go away without surgery

[urva-odcpoki]

I am 21 and have 1 L 1 vertebrae fracture it's very painful even it makes u agitated and also made me suffer from constipation

[chrish]

My back is almost broke but I can lay down right and little pain I fell down monkey bars and alomst Passed out I fell on my back I spaced out for 1sec or 5sec but I'm fine

[HomemadeLean]

im 16 got a stress fracture in my lower spine late august playing football, getting a ct scan for it after 2 x rays and 2 MRIs, it hurts a lot, havent gone to school in like 2-3 weeks + probably thats if im including thanksgiving break, idk wtf im gonna do cause i need to play football cause its my life