Balloon Kyphoplasty Provides

New Options for Spinal Fractures

NEW MILFORD — Balloon kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive treatment option for patients suffering from spinal fractures due to osteoporosis, is now performed at New Milford Hospital. Balloon kyphoplasty is designed to correct spinal deformity due to osteoporotic fractures.

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bones of the spine to weaken and often collapse, resulting in spinal fractures. Traditional treatment for spinal fractures includes bed rest, medication, and back bracing.

While these therapies may help to decrease a patient’s pain over time, they do not treat the deformity related to the osteoporotic fractures.

Balloon kyphoplasty is a new treatment designed to repair vertebral compression fractures and restore the vertebrae to the correct position, reducing back pain and the number of days in bed, significantly improving mobility and increasing overall quality of life. Through a small incision, an orthopedic balloon is guided into the fractured vertebral body.

It is then inflated, reducing the fracture and elevating the endplate. Once the fracture is reduced, the balloon is deflated, creating a void that serves as a repository for the bone “cement.”

The void is then filled with the bone cement. The procedure generally takes less than one hour per fracture and has been performed under both local and general anesthesia.

Orthopedic Surgeon Mitchell S. Garden, who recently joined the hospital’s medical staff, performed the first kyphoplasty surgery at New Milford Hospital on July 6. He is in practice with Dr Cameron Brown at Associated Litchfield County Orthopedics in New Milford.

According to Dr Garden, “This minimally invasive procedure can eliminate the debilitating pain and complications caused by osteoporosis, and New Milford Hospital is pleased to provide the balloon kyphoplasty treatment to its community.”

Ernest Emerling, the first kyphoplasty patient at New Milford Hospital, is home recuperating and says he already feels that his quality of life is enhanced.

“Mr Emerling’s surgery demonstrates that there is now hope for osteoporosis sufferers in our area,” Dr Garden said.

For information about treatment options for spinal fractures, contact New Milford Hospital’s One Day Surgery Center at (860) 350-7245.