Mrs. Tuyet experienced repeated falls but did not receive definitive treatment, leading to persistent back injuries. X-ray results at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, revealed her spine had a kyphosis exceeding 80 degrees, with three consecutive vertebral compression fractures. This caused spinal instability and nerve compression, resulting in severe pain, leg numbness, difficulty walking, and nocturnal leg cramps. The severe kyphosis, characterized by a prominent hunchback, prevented the patient from lying on her back for many years. It also compressed her digestive tract, leading to poor appetite and general weakness.

Doctor Tran Quang Hien, Head of the Spinal Surgery Department, prescribed posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion surgery to definitively treat the patient.

Doctor Hien realigns Mrs. Tuyet's spine. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital.

In elderly individuals, facet joints often fuse tightly. To realign the spine from the posterior approach, doctors destroy these facet joints, then insert screws and connecting rods. However, during realignment, the anterior spinal gap widens. Without an anterior support device, stress would concentrate on the rod and screw system, potentially causing long-term overload and device failure. To prevent this risk and alleviate pain during movement, doctors implanted a titanium cage to replace the vertebral body, thereby stabilizing the spine.

During the surgery, Doctor Hien utilized a spinal cord monitoring system to achieve maximum joint realignment while ensuring no nerve damage to the patient, thereby preventing complications. Doctors also avoided excessive realignment, as the patient's osteoporosis could lead to bone fractures.

Mrs. Tuyet's spinal condition before (left) and after surgery. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital.

Post-surgery, Mrs. Tuyet experienced significant pain reduction when changing positions and could sit up and begin walking. She was discharged on the 5th day, with her spinal shape nearly restored to a normal physiological curve, enabling her to lie on her back and showing a noticeable increase in height.

Doctor Hien stated that the spine plays a crucial role in supporting the body, protecting the central nervous system, and maintaining flexible movement. Therefore, when spinal injuries occur, patients should seek early and timely treatment to avoid complications that reduce quality of life. Currently, spinal conditions such as spinal curvature, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs have high surgical success rates, allowing patients to quickly alleviate pain and restore normal mobility and daily activities.

Phi Hong