Treatment for spinal fractures

Guatum Phookan, MD

Central Indiana Neurosurgery, P.C.

Q. What happens if I get a spinal fracture?
A. After experiencing one fracture, your risk of a second fracture is greatly increased. In addition, just one fracture affects how weight is distributed through the spine, thus placing higher than normal stress on the front of the spine which contributes to the risk of future fracture. With additional fractures, it can become progressively difficult to walk, eat, and sleep due to pain and the unnatural spinal alignment. See a doctor to determine your condition and appropriate treatment, as there may be different explanations for why you are experiencing back pain.

Q. What options are there if I have a spinal fracture?
A. Traditional treatments for spinal fractures include extended bed rest, pain medication and back braces, all of which can relieve pain but do not address the deformity caused by the fracture. Open surgery is also an option, but it is more invasive than non-surgical management and is typically reserved for patients with neurological complications. Balloon Kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure, is designed to treat the fracture and restore the vertebra to the correct position. Balloon Kyphoplasty has been demonstrated to significantly reduce back pain, correct spinal deformity and improve quality of life.

Q. How is Balloon Kyphoplasty performed?
A. Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a spine specialist. It can be performed using either a local or general anesthesia. It typically takes about one hour to treat each fracture and may require an overnight hospital stay.

Q. Does insurance cover Balloon Kyphoplasty?
A. In most cases, Medicare provides coverage for kyphoplasty. Other insurance may also provide coverage. Check with your insurance carrier or doctor to find out about coverage.

Q. What can Balloon Kyphoplasty do for me if I have a spinal fracture?
A. If you have a spinal fracture, Balloon Kyphoplasty can restore vertebral body height, significantly reduce back pain and increase mobility, often shortly after the procedure. In addition to pain reduction, patients experience an increased ability to return to such simple, everyday activities as walking, reaching, bending and lifting. Patients also report improved mental health, vitality, social function and emotional health.

Q. Are there risks associated with Balloon Kyphoplasty?
A. Although the complication rate with Balloon Kyphoplasty has been demonstrated to be extremely low, as with most surgical procedures, there are risks associated with Balloon Kyphoplasty, including serious complications.

Dr. Guatum Phookan, is a neurosurgeon at Central Indiana Neurosurgery, P.C. and a member of the medical staff at Ball Memorial Hospital. For more information, send an e-mail to info@chsmail.org.

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