If you have ankylosing spondylitis, you probably know how difficult it is to live with back stiffness and pain. This disease can weaken the vertebrae in your spine. Sometimes, even a slight fall from a standing position can cause a vertebra to break or fracture. So when something like this happens, you can't even do your daily tasks and you have to be in constant pain. But don't worry, there is now a good, simple treatment for this condition. We're talking about it today. That treatment is called Kyphoplasty.
What is Kyphoplasty simply?
This name may sound like a big deal, but it is a very simple procedure. Imagine, a small balloon is inserted through a very thin needle into the broken bone in your spine. Then, the balloon is inflated several times, restoring the normal height of the bone that was lowered due to the fracture. Now a small empty space is created there. Then, a substance like medical cement (special bone cement) is filled into that empty space. When this cement hardens after a while, the broken bone becomes strong again. This is simply called Kyphoplasty.
Since this is a non-invasive treatment, the risks associated with major surgery are much lower. That's the biggest advantage of this.
Are there any risks with this treatment?
As with any medical treatment, there are some minor risks. However, these are rare. Your doctor will explain these to you in more detail.
| Possible risk | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Infection | A germ can enter the area where the needle is inserted, but the chance of this happening is very low. |
| Bleeding | There may be a little bleeding from the insertion site. |
| Increased back pain | Some people may experience increased pain for a few days after treatment, but it usually subsides. |
| Nerve damage | Very rarely, if a nerve is damaged, numbness, tingling, or weakness may occur. |
| Allergic Reactions | Some materials used in X-rays used for treatment can cause allergies. |
| Cement leakage | Some of the cement used can leak out and get into a blood vessel or spinal cord. Doctors are very careful to prevent this from happening. |
How does the treatment work? Let's see...
This process happens very systematically.
Before treatment
First, your doctor will examine you thoroughly. He or she may take some blood and do some tests. In addition, they will likely order an X-ray or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to see exactly where the fracture is.
During treatment
Before the treatment begins, you will be given anesthesia . This means that you will either be completely asleep or only the area will be numbed. This means that you will not feel any pain. Then, while looking at the X-ray, the doctor will insert a very thin needle into the broken bone in your back. Then, he will insert a small balloon through the needle and inflate it. Then, he will fill the space created by the balloon with a special cement and take the needle out. The amazing thing is, you won't even need stitches!
What happens after treatment?
After the treatment is over, the doctor may decide to keep you in the hospital for a night to make sure everything is okay. But most of the time, you can go home the same day.
It is normal to feel some soreness where the needle was inserted. But you can get up and walk around immediately . Many people who have had this treatment say that their back pain has decreased significantly .
So, if you are suffering from spinal fractures caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis, talk to your doctor about this Kyphoplasty treatment. It may be a good solution for you too. The pain relief after the treatment may be worth the small risk.
Take-Home Message
- People with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) can break their spine even with a minor fall.
- Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment that fills and strengthens a broken spine bone with a cement-like substance.
- This treatment greatly reduces back pain and allows you to return to your normal life quickly.
- As with all treatments, there are some minor risks, so be sure to talk to your doctor to see if this is right for you.
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