Step Back Into Life – as told by patients who have had balloon kyphoplasty!  In this video, you’ll hear what patients have to say about their experience with balloon kyphoplasty. You’ll also hear from a physician about the importance of diagnosing and treating spinal fractures.

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Priscilla Turner attributed her back pain to "getting older." She was surprised to find out she had osteopenia and a spinal fracture.   

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Joan Schoengold
Retired hospital administrator. Age: 82
Diagnosis: Osteoporotic fracture

When you have osteoporosis, falling down can be disastrous. “I had the flu and fainted walking into the bathroom,” the active retiree reports. “When I woke up, I was in agony and I was scared because I didn’t know what was causing the pain.” Joan managed to crawl to the phone to call for help and paramedics transported her to the hospital. After balloon kyphoplasty, Joan says, “I felt better right away. I’ve been able to keep my independence and go back to taking care of myself. It’s like a miracle.”

Tom Callaghan
Attorney. Age: 58
Diagnosis: Multiple myeloma-induced fractures

Most golfers would say that hitting a hole-in-one is cause for celebration. For Tom Callaghan, the enjoyment he felt after making a hole-in-one on the fourth tee was short-lived. One hour later, he collapsed on the ninth tee in excruciating pain. The diagnosis Tom would later receive was dire - his pain was due to a spinal fracture caused by multiple myeloma. “The pain was constant,” he states. “I couldn’t stand for more than a couple of minutes without severe pain.” His mobility improved after balloon kyphoplasty. “It was truly remarkable,” he says. “I was able to play golf the following summer. I could stand up straight and walk pain free.”

Gerry Ragen
Retired elementary school teacher and supervisor. Age: 80
Diagnosis: Osteoporotic fracture

Patients with vertebral compression fracture due to osteoporosis are five times more likely to sustain another fracture [35] - that’s what happened to Gerry Ragen. She says that while making the bed one morning, “I heard my back crack. I sat down right away.” Gerry suffered for four months before having her first balloon kyphoplasty. The second fracture occurred from performing her daily activities. Because she felt her pain relief and recovery was so quick after her first procedure, she didn’t wait long to see her doctor for treatment.

Ron Luperine
Retired banker. Age: 62
Diagnosis: Steroid-induced fracture

Mr. Luperine suffered from a chronic lung ailment. Doctors prescribed corticosteroids; however, the drugs caused him to lose bone mass and he developed secondary osteoporosis. The resulting compression fracture was so debilitating that he had an infusion pump implanted to manage the pain. Following treatment with balloon kyphoplasty, the pump was removed and Mr. Luperine is now happy to be “living fully and getting around again.”

Chris Kern
Former x-ray technician. Age: 84
Diagnosis: Osteoporotic fracture

Ms. Kern lives with her wheelchair-bound roommate in a house in Northern California. One night, a few hours after helping her roommate to bed, she awoke with severe back pain. Over the next four months, Ms. Kern spent time in and out of the hospital, relying on narcotics to control the pain. She couldn’t eat and lost over 30 pounds. Finally, she insisted that a back X-ray be taken and reviewed by an orthopaedic surgeon. In August 2003, four compression fractures were found. After having balloon kyphoplasty, she says the difference in the way she feels is “like night and day.”

Ellen Simpson, M.D.
Retired pediatric cardiologist. Age: 86
Diagnosis: Osteoporotic fracture

Dr. Simpson had already been diagnosed with osteopenia and was undergoing drug treatment for her condition. She recalls a Thanksgiving Day party in which she spent most of the day sitting hunched over because of back pain. The morning after the party, the pain made it difficult for her to get out of bed. Two fractures were treated with balloon kyphoplasty in January 2003. Now, Dr. Simpson takes delight in her renewed ability to bend and move. “My friends,” she says, “tell me I look 15 years younger!”