Help! Has anyone heard of this?

Sally · Post by **Sally** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:01 pm

I have a friend whose mother is in a lot of chronic pain due to a compression fracture in her spine.

Here is the website:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020815/611.html

Please let me know if you have heard of this and I will send your comments to Barbara. My friend.

Love and thanks,

Sally

Jean · Post by **Jean** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 3:25 pm

Sally,

I've heard of it, but know nothing about it. Sorry.

Love, Jean

Peggy · Post by **Peggy** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:01 pm

Sorry Sal - I can give advice on breaking a neck in more than a few places, but that's about it!

Your friend certainly has my sympathy, though.

Love,
Niece Peg

Carol Arnett · Post by **Carol Arnett** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:35 pm

Hi Sally, I don`t know a lot about compression fractures except they usually come with age and/or Osteoperosis. I HAVE heard that they can be repaired. It is my understanding that the Doctor injects a jelly like substance in the fracture area that then hardens just enough to support the bones. I don`t know if this is widly done but I know it is being done at McGill in Canada. Wish I knew of a website to direct you to. Maybe check out Mayo and Cleveland Clinic. They are both usually on the cutting edge of medicine. Good luck to you and your friend. Love, Carol

Alice · Post by **Alice** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:23 pm

Hi Sally,

Both my mom and dad had this procedure. It may have helped my dad somewhat, but didn't help my mom. They were both in their nineties when they had it, and my mom had many compression fractures and constant severe pain. Perhaps their advanced age precluded getting much relief.

My dad had back pain most of his adult life for various reasons - then at age 91 he broke his back and that's when he had the procedure.

I'm sorry I can't report better results. I hope your friend's mother can find relief. These types of fractures can be very debilitating and life limiting ( in my mother's case.)

Love,
Alice