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Suggest Treatment For Senile Khyphosis

Posted on Thu, 3 Apr 2014

Question: My back surgeon is going to try to correct my posture because my head is bent and leaning forward, my knees are bent when I stand and I was told it was to compensate for the pain. There is a marked change in the bend of my spine since 2012. I can bend at my waist but when I bring myself upright the pain is excruciating. I have considerable pain in my back and hip and back of my legs. L5,4 and 3 are fused already. My surgeon plans to fuse from L5 to T10 and to take a triangle shape wedge from my spine to bring it back into alignment. I was told I wouldn't be able to bend at all. Is there any other alternative to this surgery?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Description below. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. From description it seems that you had developed senile khyphosis. Treatment of senile kyphosis involves medical management of the underlying disorder e.g., medicine to combat osteoporosis. In addition, minimally invasive procedures such as kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty can help correct deformity and relieve pain. I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (53 minutes later)

Please in plain English what is senile khyphosis and procedure of kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty mean?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Description below Detailed Answer: Hello mam, Thanks for writing back, Senile khyphosis is abnormal curvature or rounding of the back and is associated with aging In khyphoplasty and vertebroplasy bone cement is injected through a small hole in the skin (percutaneously) into the "wedged" vertebra(collapsed vertebra more in the front than the back).

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (8 hours later)

I do not have hunchback of the spine. I have been tested for osteoporosis and I do not have it. I can breath quite normally but turning over in bed is difficult. Each surgery I have had on my spine has been different except when I got an infection and it had to be preformed again. I started off with spurs and a disc problem. The first surgery caused a lot of problems because the spurs were intermingled with the spine making it difficult to remove them. One vertabrae at waist level has collapsed because of an injury and that is what is causing me to lean forward from the wait. No one has answered my question, "Is there an alternative to what my back surgeon is suggesting?" Having had five back surgeries already it isn't just a quick fix of stuffing glue up inside of my spine. There are drawbacks from having this procedure performed as there is to the one I'm scheduled to have. I have read the suggestion of The Neuro Spinal Hospital offering specialised care for patients and they can recommend the latest treatment. What is the name of the hospital so I can email them to find out about their treatment plan? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (16 hours later)

Brief Answer: Epidural steroid injection in back Detailed Answer: Hi, Now from your description it seems you are suffering from degenerative disc disease & it occurs due to repetitive overload or stress to the disc & it increases the risk of disc herniation & spinal canal stenosis. Pain radiating to hip and back of legs might be due to compression of nerve root. As you had already undergone 5 back surgeries and having a lot of problems during surgery, I am in not favour of fusion surgery in your case. You can go for epidural steroid injection in back as an alternative to this surgery. It is better if you can send me your recent xray and MRI report so that I can help you in better ways. Warm Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (36 hours later)

I would like to send you xrays and MRI report but my doctor will be at a convention and a week holiday until March 24th. By then this discussion will be closed. Though I have undergone five surgeries each one has been for a different reason except one was an opening of the spine because of an infection. I realize it is difficult for you to give advise on something as complicated as a back. Thank you for all you have done. A Calvori

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (14 hours later)

Brief Answer: You are most welcome for further query if you have Detailed Answer: Hi, Sorry for your suffering. It more looks like failed back surgery syndrom (FBSS). It refers to chronic back and/or leg pain that occurs after back (spinal) surgery. You are most welcome for further query if you have. Thanks and best wishes. Warm regards..

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar