I would like to ask if anyone knows the time frame for having compressed or fractured vertebrae's corrected by surgery? Is there a thing as "waiting too long" to have this corrected?
My second question is there anyone that had either of the two main procedures in Louisiana?
Thank you so much!
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Re: Surgery for compressed and fractured vertebrae
Hello,
For most patiets with compression fractures of the spine from myeloma a surgical procedure to repair a fractured or compressed vertebra is done within 1-3 months of the event. In patients with very severe, unstable fractures of the spine from myeloma (these are rare) surgical stabilization must be done within days if at all possible. If a patient has neurologic compromise (paralysis or loss of bowel or bladder control) surgery is performed with in hours or days at most...this would be an emergency.
For most patiets with compression fractures of the spine from myeloma a surgical procedure to repair a fractured or compressed vertebra is done within 1-3 months of the event. In patients with very severe, unstable fractures of the spine from myeloma (these are rare) surgical stabilization must be done within days if at all possible. If a patient has neurologic compromise (paralysis or loss of bowel or bladder control) surgery is performed with in hours or days at most...this would be an emergency.
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Surgery for compressed and fractured vertebrae
Thank you so much for your speedy answer.
My father had just gotten his MRI done to see if any surgery could help with his back pain. His oncologist did not ever mention that any surgery could be done for his back pain while he was under his care . His recent MRI has shown that he has multiple bulging discs (T2, T3, T6, T8, T9, T10) and Osteophyte formations in (T9, T11, T12, L1) and that his fractures have healed. Lost central height on T5 and T12.
I have read that Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty could correct or raise these compressed fractures so the pain would be lessened (But again, I am assuming the time frame as ended for this). We are really looking for some advice on what his next step could be. His is in constant pain but does not take pain pills for various reasons. His is as active as he can be while dealing with the pain but we were hoping there would be something that could relieve some of the pain for him.
We are also hesitate to have any surgeries because the lack of knowledge of this disease in Louisiana and we believe out of state surgery will be outrageous
.
Background: He had his SCT in October of last year and is in remission, and is not on any maintenance at the present except monthly bone strengtheners.
My father had just gotten his MRI done to see if any surgery could help with his back pain. His oncologist did not ever mention that any surgery could be done for his back pain while he was under his care . His recent MRI has shown that he has multiple bulging discs (T2, T3, T6, T8, T9, T10) and Osteophyte formations in (T9, T11, T12, L1) and that his fractures have healed. Lost central height on T5 and T12.
I have read that Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty could correct or raise these compressed fractures so the pain would be lessened (But again, I am assuming the time frame as ended for this). We are really looking for some advice on what his next step could be. His is in constant pain but does not take pain pills for various reasons. His is as active as he can be while dealing with the pain but we were hoping there would be something that could relieve some of the pain for him.
We are also hesitate to have any surgeries because the lack of knowledge of this disease in Louisiana and we believe out of state surgery will be outrageous
.
Background: He had his SCT in October of last year and is in remission, and is not on any maintenance at the present except monthly bone strengtheners.
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nrhayden
Re: Surgery for compressed and fractured vertebrae
He is out of the usual time window for kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty. But, if he has severe debilitating pain perhaps he could still benefit. Only an expert in these procedures can tell you. I suspect there are good physicians performing these procedures in your state but can offer no specific recommendations.
It is not uncommon for myeloma patients to require chronic pain medications to lead a reasonable quality of life. Compression fractures can leave a patient in permanent significant pain (even after kyphoplasty). One option for chronic pain would be a pain patch (Duragesic), which would give him continuous pain relief 24 hours a day. These patches only need to be changed every 3 days and can simplify a patients life. The VAST majority of myeloma patients accept the need for pain meds. Without pain meds, the physicians hands are really tied behind his/her back .
It is not uncommon for myeloma patients to require chronic pain medications to lead a reasonable quality of life. Compression fractures can leave a patient in permanent significant pain (even after kyphoplasty). One option for chronic pain would be a pain patch (Duragesic), which would give him continuous pain relief 24 hours a day. These patches only need to be changed every 3 days and can simplify a patients life. The VAST majority of myeloma patients accept the need for pain meds. Without pain meds, the physicians hands are really tied behind his/her back .
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Surgery for compressed and fractured vertebrae
Thank you again for you input. It is greatly appreciated. I will deliver the message to my mother and father and let them decide his next step in lowering his pain level.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
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Anonymous
Re: Surgery for compressed and fractured vertebrae
Hi,
Just wanted to post an uplifting update on my father. We found a local neurosurgeon and she performed kyphoplasty on my father's fractured vertebra and it was a total success. He had instant pain relief. The surgeon knew he didn't like to take pain killers and asked him to please take the loratabs after the surgery. He was a good patient and took them for the first day due to the soreness of the sight.. He was walking around the house the same day amazed. The only complication was after surgery and his bp dropped to 56/32 due to his past history of pain=passing out. We are so blessed and excited! She also sent him to get a back brace to wear when needed.
Thanks again and good luck!
Just wanted to post an uplifting update on my father. We found a local neurosurgeon and she performed kyphoplasty on my father's fractured vertebra and it was a total success. He had instant pain relief. The surgeon knew he didn't like to take pain killers and asked him to please take the loratabs after the surgery. He was a good patient and took them for the first day due to the soreness of the sight.. He was walking around the house the same day amazed. The only complication was after surgery and his bp dropped to 56/32 due to his past history of pain=passing out. We are so blessed and excited! She also sent him to get a back brace to wear when needed.
Thanks again and good luck!
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nrhayden
Re: Surgery for compressed and fractured vertebrae
I know this is an old thread, but I will contribute based on what I saw with my dad (applies to the Province of Ontario, Canada).
If you have a neoplasm of the spine endangering the spinal code and you present to hospital without a neurosurgeon on duty, the ER doctor will contact Criticall (Ministry of Health). Criticall will check with all hospitals with neurosugery to see who can perform a neoplasm removal with possible titanium rod stabilization and possible vert/k-plasty of the vertebrae.
If it is a life and limb situation and surgery needs to be done within four hours, and no hospital in Ontario has a neurosugerical spot open within the next four hours (rare, as we have nine adult trauma centres), Criticall will then call the trauma centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for assistance if you live in northern Ontario, trauma centres in Detroit, Michigan, or Buffalo, New York, to see if they can take the patient if you live in the southern part of the province.
If you are sent for emergency neurosurgery by Criticall to a location outside Ontario (Manitoba, New York or Michigan), the Ministry of Health pays the entire bill as if you were treated in Ontario; you don't even have to pay the $45.00 ambulance fee as it is a hospital to hospital transfer, even if it is by air ambulance.
We are thankful on that night, a trauma centre 100 km (60 miles) from us had an neurosurgery spot open. My dad's situation was urgent, but not life or limb, so the four-hour protocol was not invoked.
If you have a neoplasm of the spine endangering the spinal code and you present to hospital without a neurosurgeon on duty, the ER doctor will contact Criticall (Ministry of Health). Criticall will check with all hospitals with neurosugery to see who can perform a neoplasm removal with possible titanium rod stabilization and possible vert/k-plasty of the vertebrae.
If it is a life and limb situation and surgery needs to be done within four hours, and no hospital in Ontario has a neurosugerical spot open within the next four hours (rare, as we have nine adult trauma centres), Criticall will then call the trauma centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for assistance if you live in northern Ontario, trauma centres in Detroit, Michigan, or Buffalo, New York, to see if they can take the patient if you live in the southern part of the province.
If you are sent for emergency neurosurgery by Criticall to a location outside Ontario (Manitoba, New York or Michigan), the Ministry of Health pays the entire bill as if you were treated in Ontario; you don't even have to pay the $45.00 ambulance fee as it is a hospital to hospital transfer, even if it is by air ambulance.
We are thankful on that night, a trauma centre 100 km (60 miles) from us had an neurosurgery spot open. My dad's situation was urgent, but not life or limb, so the four-hour protocol was not invoked.
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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
Re: Surgery for compressed and fractured vertebrae
Been told my back, leg, and ankle pain are caused by disc damage. Could my multiple myeloma be causing this?
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Kathy 73 - Name: Kathleen MURDOCH
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: jan2015
- Age at diagnosis: 75
Re: Surgery for compressed and fractured vertebrae
Hi Kathy,
I'm sorry to hear about the pain you've been experiencing.
Damage to the discs in the spinal column is very common among myeloma patients. The disease eats away at the vertebrae, which are the bones in the back. This causes an imbalance, putting excess pressure on the discs, which can displace and distort them so that they cause pain in the back and in other parts of the body.
It's also true, however, that the discs can be damaged and cause pain in people without multiple myeloma. One of the reasons multiple myeloma often isn't diagnosed as early as it should be is because back pain, a common symptom of myeloma, occurs so often for completely different reasons in people who are in the age group most likely to get multiple myeloma.
Did your doctor tell you that the damage to the discs is related to your multiple myeloma?
Whatever the case, I hope you and your doctor are able to find a solution to the pain you have.
I'm sorry to hear about the pain you've been experiencing.
Damage to the discs in the spinal column is very common among myeloma patients. The disease eats away at the vertebrae, which are the bones in the back. This causes an imbalance, putting excess pressure on the discs, which can displace and distort them so that they cause pain in the back and in other parts of the body.
It's also true, however, that the discs can be damaged and cause pain in people without multiple myeloma. One of the reasons multiple myeloma often isn't diagnosed as early as it should be is because back pain, a common symptom of myeloma, occurs so often for completely different reasons in people who are in the age group most likely to get multiple myeloma.
Did your doctor tell you that the damage to the discs is related to your multiple myeloma?
Whatever the case, I hope you and your doctor are able to find a solution to the pain you have.
Re: Surgery for compressed and fractured vertebrae
Kathy, is the last time you've had an MRI of your spine?
And where do you go for your myeloma treatment, Newcastle?
And where do you go for your myeloma treatment, Newcastle?
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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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