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Medical and Surgical Treatments The best treatment for each patient must be based on an accurate diagnosis. Although it is appealing to have the latest procedure, the newest medication, the smallest micro-surgery or arthroscopic surgery, best treatment must be appropriate for each individual patient’s condition. Treatment must also be based on scientific evidence, not marketing on television or in news magazines. At SpineCare, we pride ourselves on making correct and complete diagnoses, and then offering our patients the most effective treatment for their unique problems. We cannot jump at the latest fad, things that have not been proven to work. Our patients and our reputation mean too much for that. Spine surgery must be taken seriously. It is imperative to select the right procedure for the right patient at the right time. Many of the terms discussed here are also defined in the SpineCare glossary and illustrated in the section on anatomy. Kyphoplasty Kyphoplasty is a new, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of compression fractures of the spine, usually due to osteoporosis. A compression fracture occurs when vertebrae (back bones), weakened by osteoporosis, collapse and become wedge shaped instead of rectangular. A person with multiple compression fracures might appear hunched, with a rounded back. To perform kyphoplasty, the surgeon inserts and then inflates a special balloon into the fractured vertebrae to create a cavity within the bone. The cavity is then filled with a special bone cement to strengthen the bone. After the procedure, most patients report a dramatic improvement in pain, quality of life, and the ability to participate in everyday activities.

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