The fracture has largely healed, but he has lost height and has a forward stoop.      A Nuclear bone scan shows some recent bone activity at the fracture site, and he has been referred to a consultant at Guys Hospital, London, to discuss the possibility of Kyphoplasty or Verteplasty.

My son is very much hoping to regain some height, and be able to straighten up.   He is acutely embarrassed and self conscious of the change in his shape, and also in pain with muscle spasms.

What are the chances of success using these procedures, and what risks are involved?

Thank you

Dee 

Thank you for your post regarding your son and his treatment. These treatments have become more common in recent years as more centres offer them to patients. There are differences between the two procedures and these are discussed in our booklet ‘Percutaneous vertebroplasty, balloon kyphoplasty’

Common side effects are cement leaks and new fractures. Less common are infection, pulmonary embolus, and spinal cord or nerve root injury.

In general these procedures can result in some deformity correction but about 30 – 40% of procedures do not result in height restoration. Many procedures result in pain reduction.

As well as the above procedures a specialist physiotherapy assessment may be helpful as certain types of exercise (including hydrotherapy) can be beneficial in reducing pain and improving posture.

Best wishes

Helpline Nurses
National Osteoporosis Society