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Back surgery and multiple myeloma
Is it common for multiple myeloma patients with spinal fractures to have back surgery to correct the fractures?
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twoswyfts - Name: Judie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 4, 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Back surgery and multiple myeloma
Hi Judie,
I don't think that you can really generalize about having surgery for fractures, but if you think that you should do that, you could make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. There may be a surgeon who works with cancer patients, and would understand the problems associated with myeloma patients, at your cancer centre.
I had compression fractures, but they did heal up gradually on their own. I felt that taking Aredia (pamidronate) helped a lot to strengthen my bones. Having active myeloma had caused damage that way!
I have met other patients who had surgery, or kyphoplasty, to help with fractured vertebrae also.
I don't think that you can really generalize about having surgery for fractures, but if you think that you should do that, you could make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. There may be a surgeon who works with cancer patients, and would understand the problems associated with myeloma patients, at your cancer centre.
I had compression fractures, but they did heal up gradually on their own. I felt that taking Aredia (pamidronate) helped a lot to strengthen my bones. Having active myeloma had caused damage that way!
I have met other patients who had surgery, or kyphoplasty, to help with fractured vertebrae also.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Back surgery and multiple myeloma
Thank you for the reply. I was just curious as to why I would be referred to an oncologist and a spinal surgeon by my GPA. I have not seen the surgeon, just curious.
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twoswyfts - Name: Judie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 4, 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Back surgery and multiple myeloma
When my back initially fractured and 2 of the vertebrae compressed, it was a miracle that they didn't impact the cord severely! I ended up with a double 90-degree bend in my spinal cord, but can still function.
I saw a spinal surgeon and he fused 10 vertebrae using Harrington rods. It was a long healing process and I have no feeling down the spine on my back, but was it worth it? You bet! It has enabled me to perform daily activity without being constantly too worried about whether my back will mess up again (in that location).
I now have other spinal issues that they have examined and informed me that they can't do any surgery to stabilize. I just hope the bones grow back and become strong once again! Last December, this disease ate away my C6, leaving just a solid tissue mass. I have just come off wearing a hard collar for the last 5 months (no fun though the hot summer).
Best of luck and I hope there is some good news from your surgeon!
Take Care,
Gary
I saw a spinal surgeon and he fused 10 vertebrae using Harrington rods. It was a long healing process and I have no feeling down the spine on my back, but was it worth it? You bet! It has enabled me to perform daily activity without being constantly too worried about whether my back will mess up again (in that location).
I now have other spinal issues that they have examined and informed me that they can't do any surgery to stabilize. I just hope the bones grow back and become strong once again! Last December, this disease ate away my C6, leaving just a solid tissue mass. I have just come off wearing a hard collar for the last 5 months (no fun though the hot summer).
Best of luck and I hope there is some good news from your surgeon!
Take Care,
Gary
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GaryH - Name: GaryH
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov./97
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Back surgery and multiple myeloma
My dad had surgery to remove a large lesion pressing up against his spinal cord as well, along with the installing of rods to stabilize four vertebrae.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
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