[DanielR]

Third kyphoplasty failed; now what?

by DanielR on Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:57 pm

About 6 weeks ago, I had my third kyphoplasty. It actually was just a refill on L5. For the first time, it was a complete failure from start to finish. I had a negative reaction to the anesthesia, a negative reaction to the new antiseptic wipes they insisted I use, and, worst of all, it appears that the added "super glue" shifted the lumbar vertebrae, causing nerve impingement down my right leg, a symptom I had not had prior to then.

As time went on, the pain became increasingly vexing. Finally, I got an epidural and a nerve block last Wednesday (March 15). For the first few days, it seemed to have been really helpful, but today (March 18) I tried a little more moving around and the nerve got triggered. I know that one of the things the doctor was trying to determine was whether the nerve pain was in fact originating at that L5 nerve stem. Obviously, if we could answer yes to that question, we could go for a permanent nerve block there.

My dilemma now is, can I make any assumptions about the seemingly positive results initially? That is, did it work, and the nerve block agent has just already diffused sufficiently as to be no longer effective, or is it the wrong place, or some other factor?

The surgeon's only recommendation was to see a physiatrist. While I get the intent, in theory they could isolate the exact area from which the pain originates. On the other hand, I know what a physiatrist's exam would entail: lots of pain with only a limited possibility of success. Per­sonally, I'd just like them to go in surgically and sever the nerve root. Unfortunately, they seem to be totally unwilling.

Anybody out there have any thoughts or other suggestions?

[blueblood]

Re: Third kyphoplasty failed; now what?

by blueblood on Sun Mar 19, 2017 9:58 am

Daniel,

Sorry your kyphoplasty wasn't successful. I have had both kyphoplasty and vertrebroplasty. My layman knowledge is a kyphoplasty tries to restore original shape by inflating a balloon prior to inserting the cement.

I had back pain for months before being diagnosed with a sub-acute/chronicle compressed vertebra which I took they didn't know when it happened. Two months later, more pain and another MRI revealed a new compressed vertebra. I opted for two kyphoplasty hoping to return my vertebrae to original shape and function.

What I woke up to was a multiple myeloma diagnosis. What? Cancer? Cut it out. Little do we know. I did ask if he was able to restore the vertebrae's height to which I learned he couldn't and I was further disappointed. I rationalized maybe that was a good thing. Since at least one of my compressed fracture was old, there was a possibility in my mind it was fussing back together and the ballooning process could blow bits into nerve areas and cause additional pain.

However, a month later I lost another neighboring vertebra. By this time, I was at a myeloma specialist center and they repaired it with what they called a vertebroplasty. My understanding is it didn't contain a ballooning process prior to cementing.

Now almost three years later and two years of Zometa, I am slowly getting back to normal. I still have occasional shooting pain and discomfort while trying to sleep.

For the last couple months, I have been trying to strengthen my core muscles. I don't recommend others do what I am doing. But I am exercising and feel much better. My exercises have low strain loads, but increasing reps. I had lost lots of conditioning in those years.

I hope something here helps you.

-C

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Third kyphoplasty failed; now what?

by Nancy Shamanna on Sun Mar 19, 2017 11:19 am

Hi Daniel,

I am sorry to hear that your recent kyphoplasty made matters worse, not better.

I have not had that procedure, but did have 'irritation ' of a nerve a few years ago, which still flares up faintly sometimes. I think it was due to having a nerve hit during a bone marrow biopsy. It was a buzzing sensation across the low back. Eventually it healed up but was 'unnerving' to say the least.

Did your surgeon say that the nerve sensations could heal?