Her 1st FALL- Compression Fracture of L1. A "Kyphoplasty" procedure is a (Balloon+Cement) injection into L1.
She lives in ALZ Memory Care facility- She is very mobile and still toilets, dresses self etc. Now in much pain -- 2 weeks since fall- Portable Xray showed (No Fracture) so last week I took her out to MRI. *That is a story for another post!! Anyhow, the Dr says she is a perfect candidate for this procedure-- Would provide about 90% pain relief in a very quick outcome. There will be a twilight anesthesia used and its outpatient but could stay overnight if needed. I am concerned about her pain..Getting out of bed and up/down the worse..But walking hurts terrible too- She didn't want to get up out of bed this morning and was hurting too much to want to eat. (THATS BAD) for her.. If I don't go with the procedure- it could take months to heal and she would be in terrible pain like this and decline physically-due to uncooperative - poor quality due to pain. Can't give a lot of drugs for pain.. might fall again with either of these choices.. But less likely if go with procedure.. (SIGH) so hard to make these decisions.. But Im leaning towards DOING the procedure.. because she will feel better.. I don't want her in pain. ANY INSIGHTS, Experiences or comments-- THANKS! Daughter who loves Mommie and wants whats best for her .. :-)
If you haven't already, ask the surgeon about (a) prognosis if the surgery isn't done (b) prognosis if the surgery is done (c) recovery period, pain level anticipated, and for how long (d) possible of re-occurrence (e) whether a compression fracture will even heal on its own.
The fact that anesthesia is twilight rather than general is a positive factor. And the situation you describe, with her current level of pain, suggests that a long time for healing w/o intervention isn't going to be beneficial in either the short or long run.
If you and your mother are comfortable that this is the best route, go for it. It does sound as if your mother isn't in a good situation now, and if the surgery can make it better, it might be a serious consideration if there are no lingering side effects.
Good luck with your decision.
I am not sure I would do it again though, only because it was rather scary to me and I had a lot of fear about it because of the possibility of being paralyzed if the cement was to spread to other areas. That is what I was told by doctor. Also, having to be awake with sedation because I was told I needed to be able to tell them when I felt pain, and I certainly did a few times. So that was even scarier!
It sounds like your mom's health is worse than mine was at the time, so I would definitely get a second opinion.
Perhaps, I should have pushed it, but she went on Cymbalta for both pain and anxiety and it REALLY helped. She saw immediate relief and over the course of 6 months I guess she did heal and now she reports no pain in her back. PLUS, she was disabled due to arthritis in her back before all of this happened. So, I take it that the Cymbalta is really helping or the pain just went away with the healing process.
I would get a second opinion though.
Good luck and god bless. Hope she find answers for her relief of pain .
It was conscious sedation and the second day the soreness from needles was gone. Very easy fix and would do it in a heartbeat again and I'm 66. It was about 4 years ago.