Back brace to help with compression fracture.

[Brightman]

I have a painful compression fracture on my T10 vertebrae after SBRT radiation on my prostate cancer tumour there. My oncologist has recently doubled my fentanyl patch dosage to 25 um/h, but the pain still remains, especially when I get up in the morning. I spoke to her today about getting a back brace. She was generally supportive, but I was wondering about others advice and experiences in using them. Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

[Tall_Allen]

Have you had a cortisone injection there?

[Brightman in reply to Tall_Allen]

No I haven’t. The radiation oncologist said on Thursday that a cortisone injection would not help?

[SViking in reply to Tall_Allen]

is it possible to ever heal a spontaneous bone fracture? What can doctors do, use plates to hold things together or even a glue?

[Tall_Allen in reply to SViking]

They sometimes fuse the vertebrae and attach them to a titanium rod.

[TruthWillSetUFree]

Sorry you’re in so much pain. Our son (age 22) broke his back from a rope swing fall from several feet up. He only spent one night in the hospital and walked out the next day with a brace on. They had him wear it every day all day, only to be removed for sleeping. That was 2 years ago and he is now as active as he was prior. His was also a compression fracture but in the lumbar area. I hope you are able to get some relief soon. God bless.

[VCinTx]

I had a compression fracture and my RO recommended a Kyphoplasty procedure. After the day procedure, I was able to walk out of the hospital.

[SViking in reply to VCinTx]

could you describe what the process is?

[VCinTx in reply to SViking]

I got an MRI with contrast so my Professor of Radiology Doctor can pinpoint the location. You go into the hospital for day surgery. They take you into surgery and after you are under anesthesia, two hollow needles are inserted into the compressed vertebra. A small balloon is inserted and inflated to return the vertebra to it's original size. The balloon is deflated and taken out. Surgical cement (or glue) is put in and the needles are pulled out. After you lay flat (for the cement to cure) and you wake up in recovery, you can be discharged. You only have two spots on your back where the needles were. I was taken by wheelchair outside the hospital, I stood up without help and walked to the pickup that was taking me home. Fantastic experience!

[garyjp9]

Two years ago, I had a compression fracture of L-4 and was given an Exos Form II brace to wear during the day for about six weeks. Then I moved on to a less restrictive brace from Serola for another month or two. I don't wear a brace now. I was told to avoid kyphoplasty unless it was definitely deemed necessary. I would recommend consulting with an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon with a spinal specialty. They can give you the brace too. Also, is there any possibility that your fracture is the result of a metastases at that spot? Your RO should be able to tell you.

[Brightman in reply to garyjp9]

Thanks for that. Neither my radiation oncologist who I saw on Thursday nor my medical oncologist who I spoke to on the phone on Friday suggested anything like that. I will speak too my physiotherapist on Tuesday and see what he says. I may have to talk to my GP.

[Brightman in reply to garyjp9]

Yes, both RO and M0 said that my compression fracture is due to SBRT radiation on T10 but knew very little about braces!! Only put me on fentanyl patches for the pain.

[Seasid in reply to Brightman]

You should be able to find a neurosurgeon who is specialised in spine. He should be able to advise you better than anyone else.

[Seasid in reply to Seasid]

At least I believe that. Definitely better than your physiotherapist.

[TWTJr]

Ask your oncologist to refer you to an interventional radiologist to discuss vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, an outpatient procedure, takes about 1 hour to complete, and is usually effective to stop the type of pain you are having. Before retiring, I performed over 1000 of these procedures, and the success rate to stop pain, and increase some of the integrity of the underlying bone is around 80-90% for well selected patients.

[Jewelrylady]

how soon after SBRT did you have compression fracture

[Brightman in reply to Jewelrylady]

It was about 2 1/2 years between my SBRT on my T10 and my compression fracture there . I usually have a full body bone scan at the beginning of each year. The scan this year showed up a fracture on my T9 which had been painful since the end of last year. This was treated with pain drugs. Then my usual 3 monthly blood test in May this year showed a rise in my psa. So more scans showed up the T 10 compression fracture and a growing lesion (which had originally been there) on 6th rib. After MRIs the cancer on T10 had gone ( after hormone therapy, chemotherapy & radiation on prostate in 2016 when first diagnosed) , but the compression fracture appeared. I had SBRT on my 6th rib in late August too. That site was more painful than my compression fracture initially. Since then the pain on T10 has increased. Another full body bone scan 2 weeks ago showed the 6th rib lesion reducing, but the T10 compression fracture still there.

So my main concern now is my T10 and even though fentanyl patches have reduced pain there, first thing in the morning the pain is terrible.

[Jewelrylady in reply to Brightman]

So sorry about your pain. It sounds very uncomfortable and I hope the medication you’re taking helps!

Did you ever take anything to help your bones, like Prolia. My husband has osteoporosis and he gets Prolia shot every 6 months. He’s only recently started SBRT so probably too soon to know what long term effects will be.

[Brightman in reply to Jewelrylady]

Thanks for your concern. Much appreciated. Yes I have a Prolia injection every 3 months. Also take calcium and Vitamin D tablets.

The oncologists think my T10 will settle down as the SBRT on my 6th rib in August seems to have.

Give your husband best wishes for a good outcome with SBRT. I have had 2 lots of SBRT. Much better than the 25 radiation sessions I had with a full bladder & empty bowel when first diagnosed in 2016!!

[Jewelrylady in reply to Brightman]

Thank you. I will pass on your message.

[swwags in reply to Brightman]

you want a kyphoplasty

[groundhogy]

i use this one...

medpluspro.com/summit-l0631...

But i have a normally deteriorating back. But i like that it has a pulley system to tighten. Aspen also has bigger and badder models.