By Dr. Ali Araghi, DO, special to SportsMD.com
Each year, more than 2.1 million bone fractures occur in the U.S. as a result of osteoporosis. Fortunately, there are solutions for relieving pain and regaining mobility.
For our patients at The CORE Institute who experience severe pain following a compression fracture of the spine caused by osteoporosis, we offer a minimally invasive outpatient procedure called kyphoplasty. For more than 16 years, I have been performing this procedure and I can say that this has been one of the most successful procedures that I do for pain relief and I am very happy to be able to offer this revolutionary treatment to the patients of my community.
Relief in sight
Kyphoplasty is a highly effective surgical solution for individuals with a fracture from osteoporosis who have tried conservative pain management through physical therapy and medication and were unable to find relief.
The goals for this procedure are to improve pain, reestablish the height that was lost in the vertebra and improve the forward angulation, or kyphosis, of the vertebra resulting from the fracture. Like any other procedure, kyphoplasty has its own inherent risks but they are extremely rare. Check with your orthopedic provider to determine whether the procedure is right for you.
Stronger than before
During the procedure, which takes 20 to 30 minutes, the physician makes one to two tiny incisions and inserts a special balloon within the spine, inflating it to create space. The balloon is then deflated and removed, and cement is injected into the cavity created, stabilizing the fracture and alleviating pain caused by the fracture.
Within 15 minutes of the procedure, the treated vertebra is stronger than it was before the fracture. Patients are usually discharged within an hour of the procedure and are able to resume an active lifestyle within a week. They get excellent range of motion back and they are allowed to go back to playing pickleball, cycling, hiking and just about any activity they did before the procedure.
Comprehensive care
Given the experience of our surgical/interventional team and our medical and surgical providers being under the same roof, patients are able to get the most efficient and best care possible for spine fractures related to osteoporosis.
It is important to realize that most fractures are caused by underlying osteoporosis and the osteoporosis should be treated and evaluated by the patient’s medical provider. At The CORE Institute, we have a team of specialized personnel who can treat osteoporosis and help prevent future compression fractures.
I, as well as the many of the other spine providers at The CORE Institute, are excited to be able to provide an effective treatment for back pain as part of the comprehensive spine and bone health programs.
To learn more about the bone health program, or to schedule an appointment with a member of the spine team, please visit www.thecoreinstitute.com.
About Dr. Ali Araghi, DO
Ali Araghi, DO is a board certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with more than 13 years of clinical experience. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery, arthroplasty to include artificial disc replacement, and cervical and lumbar spine surgery.
Dr. Araghi completed his fellowship program in orthopedic spine surgery at the Texas Back Institute and received an additional fellowship in advanced spine training at Professor Jurgen Harms in Germany. Prior to that, he completed his orthopedic residency at Peninsula Hospital Center in New York and his pediatric orthopedic surgery rotations at Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in Kentucky. Dr. Araghi earned his medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and earned his bachelor’s degree at New York Institute of Technology, where he graduated magna cum laude and was honored on the Dean’s List, and participated in a combined seven year accelerated program.
Currently, Dr. Araghi is the Deputy Editor for the Spine Arthroplasty Journal, the Associate Editor for the Spine Journal, resides on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Spine Surgery, and was on the Editorial Board and the President of the Spine Section of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedics. Dr. Araghi presents lectures around the world and has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters in his field.
