Hope for those suffering from fractured spine

Chandigarh, March 25 Those suffering from a fractured spine have a reason to be positive. GMCH in Sector 32 is planning to introduce a new technique called Kyphoplasty, that promises minimal incision to restore a fractured spine to its normal height. In a workshop held at the Department of Orthopaedics, experts discussed the technique and the hospital’s willingness to introduce it.

In this technique, a balloon is inserted through a tiny incision. On inflating this balloon, the height of a fractured vertebrae is restored. This restored height is maintained permanently by injecting special bone cement.

Dr Anand Aggarwal, a leading spine surgeon from the UK said that the technique is especially useful in providing immediate pain relief and restoration of functions in patients who have sustained spine fracture due to osteoporosis or some malignancy.

Dr Aggarwal, who demonstrated Kyphoplasty to more than 30 orthopedic and neurosurgeons from north India gathered at the department, was assisted by Beatrix Meier from Germany. Dr Aggarwal also discussed the use of this novel and innovative technique in spinal fractures due to trauma and tumours.

Earlier in the day, Prof. SS Gill, head of the orthopaedics department, PGIMER, inaugurated the workshop and motivated the participants to learn the technique for the benefit of people. Prof Raj Bahadur, Director Principal and course chairman for the workshop stressed on the judicious use of the technique.