[Ruchi]

Can compression fractures heal without surgery?

by Ruchi on Fri Feb 19, 2016 4:42 pm

My mother had a compression fracture in her L4 vertebra last November after which she was bedridden due to pain. She was treated with 10 rounds of radiation and 6 cycles of Velcade and dex.

Currently the pain has reduced a lot, but not completely gone. The oncologist is not in favor of any kind of spinal surgery and says over the time she will feel better as the nerves take time to heal.

She can sit and walk now, but she still experiences pain/muscle pulling in some positions while sitting/climbing stairs/walking for longer time.

I wanted to know if this was normal.

Also, the doctor doesn't think an MRI will be helpful either at this stage. I wanted to know if anyone has experience with compression fractures, without surgery is it possible to be pain free with just radiation and chemo and how long does it take to heal?

[lrankin]

Re: Can compression fractures heal without surgery?

by lrankin on Fri Feb 19, 2016 10:25 pm

One option for compression fractures is to do kyphoplasty, but that usually must be done within 3 months of the fracture.

My husband had compression fractures in May (and we didn't know it). His are healing. His back will hurt him. The orthopedic specialist said there is nothing to be done - just let it heal - because it is past the 3 months.

[Aclinkboca]

Re: Can compression fractures heal without surgery?

by Aclinkboca on Sat Feb 20, 2016 10:38 pm

I had a 90% compression fracture of my L3 back in December which is how I found out about my myeloma. The surgeon said that he highly recommended the kyphoplasty with fusion. Within 2 weeks of the surgery, I was able to walk with my back brace with little pain while walking. I still have some tightness while sitting at 90 degree angle but I was able to walk 4 to 5 miles a day by the end of January before I started my induction therapy.

I would highly recommend having the surgery with a highly skilled neurosurgeon. The problem as the doctor explained if I did not have the surgery was that if would be harder later and also if I did not stabilize my spine than my spine will not be straight which could lead to additional problems. I was about 1 second from backing out of the surgery but I am happy I did not back out of the surgery.

[kjpoppit]

Re: Can compression fractures heal without surgery?

by kjpoppit on Sun Feb 21, 2016 2:44 am

I had a compression fracture and did not know it. It was very painful and not a single doctor did an xray despite me telling them of the pain. It took a few months to heal, but it was mostly healed by the time it was discovered I had multiple myeloma. It was blood work which discovered the M-spike and then x-rays revealed the lesion on my spine where the compression fracture occurred. Chemotherapy stopped any more problems from the lesion.

So, no surgery and my back feels okay. I was lucky.

[Ruchi]

Re: Can compression fractures heal without surgery?

by Ruchi on Sun Feb 21, 2016 5:51 pm

Thank you for all the replies.

Kjpoppit - are you completely pain-free now, or does it pain/feel muscle tightness in some positions and while climbing stairs. Also how many months did it take to heal?

[kjpoppit]

Re: Can compression fractures heal without surgery?

by kjpoppit on Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:19 am

I must admit I do have muscle aches and tightness. Mostly after sleeping all night or sitting a while or sometimes after walking long distances. Is it all related to my spine? I am not sure, I am quite overweight and figure this has a lot to do with my aches. I am trying to get stronger and lose weight and this helps some. Compared to my initial pain, though, the stiffness and aches are completely manageable. It was probably around 6 months before all of that initial pain was gone and I gained all my flexibility back.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

Kim

[Mister Dana]

Re: Can compression fractures heal without surgery?

by Mister Dana on Thu Feb 25, 2016 4:57 pm

My compression fracture of one lumbar vertebra truly hurt an incredible amount. But it gradually healed without any surgery when I took my induction chemo, CyBorD (cyclophosphamide, Velcade, and dexamethasone), and bone helper Zometa.