A hunched back often goes hand-in-hand with aging, but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable or unfixable.
Kyphosis or hunchback can develop for several reasons, but one of the leading causes is vertebral compression fractures, which occur when your vertebral bones collapse. Although this can happen due to an injury or certain cancers that weaken the spine, the most common culprit is osteoporosis — a condition that weakens bones.
Osteoporosis reduces your bone density, making your vertebrae more susceptible to fractures, even from minor stresses like sneezing or bending over. These fractures can lead to the forward-hunching appearance commonly associated with kyphosis.
At SamWell Institute for Pain Management, Dr. Jay M. Shah offers minimally invasive kyphoplasty to straighten your spine, reduce your pain, and help you regain lost height. Here’s what you need to know.
At first glance, kyphosis might seem like just a posture issue, but the reality is far more complex.
Many people with kyphosis have persistent back pain, especially around the fracture area. This pain can range from dull and achy to sharp and intense, especially when standing or walking.
Kyphosis constantly pulls your upper body forward, making it tough to maintain your balance and putting you at a greater risk of falling.
If you don’t seek treatment for kyphosis, you face potentially severe complications.
The most immediate concern is constant back pain. However, as the spinal curvature worsens, it can compress internal organs, leading to breathing difficulties and/or digestive problems.
Kyphosis also makes it difficult to move around freely, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle and trigger an avalanche of health challenges.
Dr. Shah uses this minimally invasive procedure to restore the vertebrae’s height and alleviate the pain.
First, Dr. Shah guides his tools to the exact location of your fracture using advanced imaging technology. Then, he inserts a small balloon into your fractured vertebra and inflates it to restore the bone’s natural height. Finally, he injects a cement-like substance to stabilize the bone structure.
This minimally invasive kyphoplasty technique requires only a small incision. Typically, the procedure lasts about an hour per vertebra treated, and most patients can go home the same day.
During the procedure, you’ll be under local anesthesia, meaning you’ll be awake but won’t feel pain.
Most patients experience immediate pain relief after kyphoplasty. You might need a couple of days to fully notice the benefits, but the pain reduction is dramatic once you do. Within a day, you can usually resume light activities but avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for several weeks.
If you’re grappling with kyphosis due to vertebral compression fractures, kyphoplasty might be the solution you’ve been seeking. Call SamWell Institute for Pain Management in Colonia, Livingston, or Englewood, New Jersey, or book your appointment online.
