- Procedure uses balloon-like device to create space between fractured bones
- Strengthens bone and reduces curvature of spine, leaving patients pain-free
- £3,000 procedure called balloon kyphoplasty has been given NHS go-ahead
By
Jenny Hope
19:56 EST, 23 April 2013
|
01:50 EST, 24 April 2013
Thousands of women with spinal fractures – causing the telltale shape of dowager’s hump – could benefit from a new balloon treatment, claim doctors.
The procedure uses a balloon-like device to create space between fractured bones in the spine which is then injected with cement.
It strengthens the bone and reduces the curvature of the spine, leaving patients pain-free within a few hours.
Thousands of women with spinal fractures – causing the telltale shape of dowager’s hump – could benefit from a new balloon treatment, claim doctors
The £3,000 procedure called balloon kyphoplasty has been given the go-ahead for widespread use on the NHS by the rationing body Nice.
It has been approved along with a similar treatment called vertebroplasty, in which cement is injected into the solid part of the spine, for patients with the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis.
At least 120,000 spinal fractures are triggered by the disease each year, often leading to a loss of height and hunched upper back, shuffling walk, breathing problems, chronic back pain and even premature death.
People afflicted by spinal fractures visit their GPs 14 times more than patients of a similar age.
Most cases are treated with strong painkillers, bed rest, physiotherapy, back bracing or major surgery.
But experts believe approval for the new procedures will revolutionise the treatment of spinal fractures, mostly in women.
Professor Opinder Sahota, professor in orthogeriatric medicine at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said ‘Treating these fractures with balloon kyphoplasty could potentially save lives and is a cost effective way of preventing people from lingering in pain.
‘If managed properly, patients can be relieved from acute back pain, reduce the number of times they visit their doctor and regain their independence.
‘We need to make sure that this procedure becomes the standard of care for osteoporotic spinal fractures and ensure more patients have access to it as only 800 spinal fractures during 2010/2011 were treated with it in the whole of England and Wales.’
It strengthens the bone and reduces the curvature of the spine, leaving patients pain-free within a few hours
Balloon kyphoplasty is performed by inserting two small balloon-like devices into the fractured vertebra where they are inflated slowly until normal bone height is restored.
When withdrawn, cement can be injected into the cavity that has been left, strengthening the bone with permanent results.
It can be carried out under local anaesthetic and sedation, with the patient usually back on their feet and pain-free within hours.
A trial published in The Lancet in 2009 suggested the procedure was so successful it should be used as an early treatment for vertebral compression fractures.
The data, combined with other research showing a cut in premature death rates, was used during a two-year assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence which led to its approval.
Previously Nice had decided the procedures were safe but now it says that as they provide ‘benefits to patients and value for money, they ought to be offered to patients when appropriate.’
Professor Terence O’Neill, Chair of the National Osteoporosis Society’s Clinical and Scientific Committee said ‘Vertebral fractures can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.
‘While most fractures heal on their own a small number do not and cause persistent and severe pain. For those affected vertebroplasty and percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty offers real hope of improvement in their pain and quality of life.’
Professor Carole Longson, Director of the Health Technology Evaluation Centre at NICE, said ‘We’re pleased to recommend vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, two treatments that can help to strengthen fractured bone and reduce pain.
‘Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can have a major impact on quality of life, and can be painful and disabling.
‘High doses of painkillers can also cause significant adverse effects, which can add to the distress and loss of self-esteem caused by the symptoms.’
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“She should give the kids their ball back !â€, – me here , London, 24/4/2013 15:02, Read the post that follows yours. I have reported your post.
jelyfish
,
Plymouth,
24/4/2013 17:26
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I had this procedure carried out 2 yrs. ago, within 4 hrs. the pain had gone and to date has not returned. My procedure was carried out for intense spinal cancer pain. Just Great.
David. Warwickshire.
Just Looking
,
Warwickshire,
24/4/2013 14:19
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Watch out for side effects like paraplegia .
Fiat Lux
,
Caloundra,
24/4/2013 11:44
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I am 52 and have this condition, it is so painful!
CAZ
,
SCOTLAND, United Kingdom,
24/4/2013 11:33
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As usual, the DM reports this condition as something that is only suffered by women. Of the three people I know who would benefit from this treatment, two of them are men.
Diva
,
Granada, Spain,
24/4/2013 10:26
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Our local Doctors are more likely to approve breast reduction, lyposuction or membership to a gym before they would approve a procedure for a person of senior years!!
tallbear
,
Bristol,
24/4/2013 10:23
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The politicians could do with this operation it would give them some backbone.
david
,
calahonda,
24/4/2013 09:30
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This is really good news – when I see people with this condition it looks so uncomfortable and painful. Also people must feel really isolated because of the way it forces you to look down. I was wary of developing this condition. Apart from the osteoporosis risk, I think a lot of people nowadays are becoming very hunched over as working on computers for many hours a day forces the body in to a constricted, unnatural position. I’ve recently started to practice Pilates and yoga regularly – and this is really helping to get me back in to a proper alignment and keep my musculoskeletal system in good health generally. Prevention is better than cure. And it’s fantastic that now there is an effective treatment for people who go on to develop this condition.
Maria McC
,
London, United Kingdom,
24/4/2013 09:30
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I had two titanium disks put in mine, wonderful, no pain !!
cheshire girl
,
Northwich,
24/4/2013 08:50
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