patient's primary physician, or I'll engage an
endocrinologist or a rheumatologist with expertise
in osteoporosis management. It's important patients
are treated holistically for many reasons, not the
least of which is that in a very small subset of
patients, these fractures can be the result of some-
thing pathologic such as lymphoma, myeloma or an
undiagnosed metastatic disease.
Treatment of the underlying osteoporosis is as
important as fixing the fracture because it's a sys-
temic disease. If the patient has a single compres-
sion fracture, there's a high correlation of develop-
ing subsequent fractures from both the underlying
osteoporosis as well as the change in the spine
alignment from the initial fracture. The disease puts
pressure on the vertebral bodies above and below
the location of the first break. Not treating the
underlying osteoporosis increases the probability of
developing more fractures.
I defer to the anesthesiologist as to whether the
A U G U S T 2 0 2 0 • O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y . N E T • 7 3
Dr. Rhyne (alfred.rhyne@orthocarolina.com)
is a spine surgeon at OrthoCarolina.
patient should have the procedure performed in a
hospital, an ambulatory setting or my office. In gen-
eral, candidates for an office-based procedure are
those who don't have significant underlying comor-
bidities, and whose heart and lung statuses are
good. Because patients are older, they're at risk
even though the procedure itself isn't risky.
A broken spine sounds devastating, but because
the blood loss during a balloon kyphoplasty is mini-
mal and the anesthesia is light, the procedure isn't
traumatic. I've performed about 2,000 balloon
kyphoplasties over two decades — including one on
a 103-year-old man who was able to resume his life
of light yard work and regular walks. The procedure
helped him and many others continue to enjoy the
lives they've worked hard for and deserve.
OSM
PRACTICAL EDUCATION
Attend live programming October 22-23 and every
Friday, plus on demand content all month, for OR
leaders in hospital and ambulatory settings.
VIRTUAL EXHIBITS
Learn about cutting-edge surgical products and
services and connect with company reps during
live exhibit hall hours.
PEER NETWORKING
Connect virtually with fellow OR leaders to share
challenges and new ideas.
Pre-Register Today at: www.orexcellence.com
PRESENTED BY
