Kyphosis surgery
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
In patients with progressive kyphotic deformity due to vertebral collapse, a procedure called a kyphoplasty may arrest the deformity and relieve the pain.
Surgery
Surgical treatment can be used in severe cases. In patients with progressive kyphotic deformity due to vertebral collapse, a procedure called a kyphoplasty may arrest the deformity and relieve the pain. The procedure is serious and consists of fusion and can cause a risk to the abnormal vertebrae.
The risk of undergoing spinal fusion surgery for kyphosis, like in scoliosis, is estimated to be 5%. As early as five years after surgery another 5% require reoperation and today it is not yet clear what to expect from spine surgery in the long-term.[1][2] Taking into account that signs and symptoms of spinal deformity cannot be changed by surgical intervention, surgery remains to be a cosmetic indication.[1][3] Unfortunately, the cosmetic effects of surgery are not necessarily stable.[1] In case one decides to undergo surgery, a specialized center should be preferred.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hawes M. 2006. Impact of spine surgery on signs and symptoms of spinal deformity. Pediatr Rehabil. Oct-Dec;9(4):318-39.
- ↑ Weiss HR, Goodall D: Rate of complications in scoliosis surgery – a systematic review of the Pub Med literature. Scoliosis. 2008 Aug 5;3:9.
- ↑ Hawes MC, O’Brien JP. 2008. A century of spine surgery: What can patients expect? Disabil Rehabil. 30(10):808-17.
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