No kyphoplasty- now what?

[Stumpgirl]

Hello everyone. My dad finally saw the neurosurgeon regarding the stress fractures in his spine. The doc is a family friend and someone my parents trust implicitly (not always sure this is a great thing). Anyway, he's told my dad that kyphoplasty comes with risks of further fractures and that often times can make things worse. He's told my dad that if he can manage with pain meds, he might be best to avoid it.

This is so disappointing. My dads psa is falling and we'd so hoped we could get him feeling well so that he could exercise and enjoy life a bit. He struggles to stand up and sit down and to walk much.

Do any of you have experience with this? Would you recommend a second opinion?

[YostConner]

Different situation, of course, but I've had PT for lower back pain from a slipped vertebra (yep, not disc). Might PT help?

[Stumpgirl in reply to YostConner]

Thank you. I will ask. The fractures are in a couple of different spots in his spine which make it difficult for him to move much. They said sometimes they heal on their own. I appreciate your advice!

[BigM62]

My husband had RFA to shrink a tumor on T12 pressing on his cord, and then kytoplasty to cement it. This happened within the first few days of his diagnosis and initially oncologist really wanted to treat it with radiation to shrink and reduce pain and zymeta for strenghthening. BUT there was some concern about cord compression and they did the surgery immediately. Its been 4 weeks. Imeddiately his nerve/cord compression pain was gone. Previously no drug could touch it. He did have 10 days of pain from the surgery (they needed a hammer?) But that faded. So incredible sucess that took away his pain and got him back walking. BUT all of this was preventative. I dont think the doc would have done it post break.

[19don36]

It is my opinion that second opinions are always useful!