New Hope ForPatients With Spinal Fractures (NAPSA)—Elizabeth Pottinger was gardening in her backyard when onestrokeof a tool to hard soil sent a sharp pain through her back and rendered her nearly immobile. Osteoporosis had caused her bones to become so weak and brittle that everyday activities, such as gardening, became more difficult than usual. Elizabeth’s pain, she later discovered, was caused by small fractures in her spine, also known as vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). “The pain wasso bad, I couldn’t do anything,” Elizabeth said. “I couldn’t get out of bed. It was awful.” Increasedrisks for VCFs Elizabeth isn’t the only one at risk for spinal fractures. A recent report issued by the Surgeon General noted that by 2020, one in two Americans over age 50 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis or low bone mass. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 700,000 vertebral compression fractures—more than in the hip and wrist combined— occur annually due to osteoporosis in the U.S. Alarmingly, an estimated two-thirds of all spinal fractures go undiagnosed or untreated due to the absence of symptomsor difficulty determining the cause of symptoms, leading some to call osteoporosis a “silent disease.” Traditional treatments for patients with spinal fractures Two-thirds of all spinal fractures go undiagnosed or untreated dueto the absence of symptoms. @ osteoporotic fractures. If left untreated, one fracture can lead to others, which may create a curvature of the spine called “kyphosis,” sometimes referred to as a “dowager’s hump.” Over time, this curvature becomes more pronounced, painful and debilitating. There’s hope Once diagnosed with a spinal fracture, Elizabeth asked her physician about a procedurecalled Balloon Kyphoplasty that she learned about from a presentation at her senior center. Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to repair spinal fractures. It can be performed under local or general anesthesia and typically takes less than one hourto treat each fracture. In some cases, it may require walking, reaching, bending and lifting. Patients also report improved and sustained mental health, vitality, social function and emotional health. “My pain was relieved almost immediately after the procedure,” said Elizabeth. “After 45 minutes, I could stand up straight and walk out of the hospital pain-free.” Elizabeth’s doctor realized how important this treatment option wasfor her. “Elizabeth’s osteoporosis caused small fractures in her spine, making her a prime candidate for Balloon Kyphoplasty,” said Dr. Michael Russell, an orthopedic surgeon in Tyler, Texas. “With proper diagnosis and treatment, spinal fracture sufferers can significantly improve their ability to perform normal activities of daily living and enjoy an overall improvement in their quality oflife.” “T feel absolutely wonderful,” Elizabeth said. It is important to determine the underlying cause of back pain. Whereas there are many causes of back pain, a complete physical exam, X rays and MRI will help determine whetheror not a spinal fracture is present. Although the complication rate with Balloon Kyphoplasty has been demon- an overnight hospital stay. More than 100,000 patients have been treated with Balloon Kyphoplasty, which in most cases is covered by Medicare and other insurances. strated to be low, as with most Balloon Kyphoplasty can surgical procedures, there are restore vertebral body height, sig- associated risks, including serious nificantly reduce back pain and complications. Be sure to consult a include bed rest, medication and increase mobility, often shortly doctor for a discussion of the risks. For more information about back bracing. While these thera- after the procedure. In addition to pies may help to decrease a reducing pain, patients experience Balloon Kyphoplasty or to locate a patient’s pain over time, they do an increased ability to return to physician near you, please visit not treat the deformity related to simple, everydayactivities such as www.kyphon.com. wo------- ee -- +--+ +--+ ---- oNSt-------------- +--+ +--+ +--+ +--+ +--+ - +--+ ++ Note to Editor: May is National Osteoporosis Awareness Month
