Rita Cox, age 68, Tampa, Florida
Vertebroplasty in May 2007
My fracture was caused by coughing and having weak bones. I was first given medication to treat the pain (which was now about a 9 out of 10) – very severe back pain! Then upon further review I learned that I had a fracture on my vertebrae.
I had not heard of Vertebroplasty before my doctor recommended it.
Before the procedure I wasn’t able to do much in the house. I was just lying in bed or sitting on a couch in my living room with my feet up and with hot and cold compresses. But a few days after treatment the pain improved a lot. I have some slight pain over there in my side but nothing like what I had. It is really much better—maybe a 3 out of 10.
I am now able to walk around a little bit more and I couldn’t do that before. I am getting up and cooking and doing all of the things I used to do. I go into the kitchen and I am cooking our meals and things that I had stopped doing.
I would recommend Vertebroplasty. Oh my God it is such a relief after what I went through.
Rita was treated by:
Dr. Gerald Niedzwiecki
Mease Countryside Hospital
3231 McMullen Booth Rd.
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 791-7300
While vertebroplasty has a over 90% success rate in relieving severe spine pain, results will vary. For more information or to see if you or a loved one are a candidate for this procedure please refer to a specialist.