Participate in your care plan. Talk with your surgeon, ask questions about the procedure and hospitalization. You should understand what procedure is being done and the recovery goals. Limitations are not uncommon after a procedure, therefore,  before your admission, contact friends and family members who can help you.

Update your medication list. You may frequently be asked questions about your current medications. Having an up to date list that includes the medication, the physician prescribing the medication, the dosage and frequency taken each day; will be helpful.

Get a Family Advocate. Preparing for a surgical procedure can be overwhelming, having a consistent advocate who understands your goals, provides support and can reduce periods of stress during your recovery.

Talk to the surgeon about the “What to do if….” list. There should be a well established list of what to do and who to contact for  signs and symptoms such as: fever, nausea, excessive pain or spasm, swelling or edema, constipation or diarrhea, drainage from the surgical site, rash or reaction to medications , changes in sensation or mobility. Early signs of possible complications can be addressed promptly and redirect you back to your recovery goals.

Contact numbers should be written and posted where any support person can see them. The list should include; Surgeon’s office, VNA nurse, family advocate, pharmacy, Rehabilitation Facility.

If you are planning to return home after your procedure, prepare easy to re-heat meals before your hospital admission. Good nutrition is essential after any surgery and making meals convenient will benefit your recovery.

Keep active. Physical Therapy may be prescribed after your procedure. You will learn how to move safely while your surgical site heals. Instruction will be given to you, however, it is your responsibility to continue the exercise program safely at home. Follow the guidelines and limitations and pace your day. In the beginning, you may need to create a daily schedule to avoid over exerting yourself. Daily activity will build endurance. 

Be positive. Your outlook on recovery creates a floor plan for your success. Negativity will create distractions and prevent you from moving forward in you recovery. Any concerns should be addressed promptly and resolved to facilitate a progressive concept of care.

Be  proactive instead of reactive. Being prepared and knowing what to expect during your recovery will help maintain a successful outcome in you care.

Osteoporosis affects approximately 10 million people each year.  Vertebral compression fractures are being diagnosed daily and treatment plans for managing it vary.  Understanding the benefits of each treatment enables a patient to make the best healthcare decision.  Appreciating a patient’s baseline health is important, as this will influence which care plan should be considered.

Vertebral Compression Fracture is diagnosed when the anterior body of a vertebrae has sustained a break collapsing the body height.  When this occurs due to osteoporotic bone, two treatment plans to prevent further collapse may be suggested.  Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty procedures inject a fast setting bone cement to stabilize the collapsing bone.  Both procedures require small surgical incisions to create an entry for instrumentation to be guided into the fracture site.  Once instrumentation is located into the site, there are two different ways to manage the fracture.  The Vertebroplasty concept is to inject the bone cement into the fracture site which stops further collapse but does not attempt to restore any vertebral body height.   The Kyphoplasty principle is to place  small balloons into the site and slowly inflate them, compressing the osteoporotic bone outward creating a small cave to place the bone cement.  While the balloon inflates, the vertebral body can regain height.  Achieving as much height correction as possible can help the patient with balance and reduce some of the kyphotic curve to the spine.

The medical debate will continue as to which procedure is most effective.  Anatomical correction is a favorable outcome when looking to heal a fracture.  Kyphoplasty should be discussed as an option in managing vertebral compression fractures.