Eva Gerritsen, age 73
Diagnosed with Myeloma and received 21 radiation treatments.
Treated: February 27, 2007 by Bassem Georgy, IR
UCSD / Palomar Medical Center / San Diego
I am feeling much better than I did before I had this procedure done. I have some pain but nothing like I had previously. In terms of pain reduction, previously I was at level “10” so in extreme pain, now now I have a 4
I was not aware of this treatment until my primary care physician let me know about it. I assume he works close with Dr. Georgy so understood how it worked and how it could help me firsthand.
Regarding electing this treatment, it seemed the only thing that was really possible. The tumor on my vertebrae was expanding and putting pressure on my spinal cord, and endangering it. They were worried about it cutting or something worse happening as my vertebrae was also fractured and they were worried about more damage to the spinal cord. So I think that was the primary reason this procedure was done and to stabilize the vertebrae too.
My husband and I. were involved in the decision to use the Cavity Spinewand® medical device.
Before I had this procedure done it was extremely hard for me to sit just about anyplace. I have been hesitant to do a lot of things. Maybe I could just worry about doing something to harm my back. Now I can sit! I also try to walk as much as I can although I haven’t tried to go on long walks. At this point I tire easily so I’m trying to regain my strength.
Is there anything you would want to tell someone going into the procedure?
It’s not invasive especially if you consider the way some other surgeries would be done and recovery time. It was so quick!
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.