New Multicenter Balloon Kyphoplasty Study Shows...

New Multicenter Balloon Kyphoplasty Study Shows Long-Term Benefits for Osteoporosis Patients

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, one-in-two women and one-in-four men over the age of 50 in the U.S. will experience a spinal fracture, with two-thirds going undiagnosed. Debilitating spinal fractures can affect a person’s quality of life, and if left untreated, multiple spinal fractures can result in kyphosis – a serious health condition that results in a humped back.

Kyphon Inc. recently announced the results from the first multicenter, long-term prospective clinical study evaluating the benefits of balloon kyphoplasty treatment of osteoporotic spinal fractures published in the September 1, 2006 issue of Spine. The growing body of evidence for balloon kyphoplasty showed that patients experienced rapid and sustained improvement in back pain, back function and quality of life for two years post-procedure. In addition, the study documented improvements in restoring vertebral height and high patient satisfaction with the procedure.

The study, sponsored by Kyphon Inc., was conducted at 19 U.S. centers and evaluated 155 elderly patients with 214 spinal fractures caused by primary osteoporosis, secondary osteoporosis, or multiple myeloma. Multiple outcomes relating to back pain, quality of life, patient satisfaction and degree of difficulty performing certain daily activities were evaluated out to two years following balloon kyphoplasty. For more information, visit www.kyphon.com.