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What Is Kyphoplasty? - Dr. Finkenberg (VIDEO)

By Dr. John Finkenberg Expert October 14, 2009 - 12:32pm
 
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Dr. Finkenberg:

Kyphoplasty is a procedure where it fits under the category of vertebral augmentation, and the concept is vertebrae have compression fracture secondary to osteoporosis, and as a result of that this results in pain for the patient.

When that occurs we have various ways of treating that–medications for analgesia, pain medications, as well as bracing and immobility. And pretty much up till the last ten years, that’s all we have been able to do, but fairly recently we found out that putting bone cement into vertebras that have recently compressed gives people significant stability and decreased pain, and as a result we have been able to decrease their hospitalization time.

About Dr. Finkenberg, M.D.
Dr. John Finkenberg has been in practice at Alvarado Hospital for 16 years. He completed his undergraduate and medical degree at UCLA. Following his orthopedic residency at Harbor/UCLA, he received fellowship training in Advanced Spinal Reconstruction Surgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland.

Dr. Finkenberg’s great interest in the advancement of spinal surgery developed from 15 years as a spine consultant assisting with the creation of new technology and procedures. He is a primary investigator for multi-center national research studies and lectures around the world on current research projects.

 
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