100-Year-Old Has Successful Back Surgery

At 100 years old, some people may be grateful to be alive, but life for Helen Daniels of Poughkeepsie, NY, was difficult because of back pain from osteoporosis. Her osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) had led to fractures in her spine, making it difficult to walk. But thanks to a minimally invasive surgical procedure called balloon kyphoplasty, Ms. Daniels is now walking again.

According to this article, 100-Year-Old Woman Gets Relief From Debilitating Back Pain After Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, balloon kyphoplasty is a procedure where:

a needle and tube are used to create a small pathway into the fractured bone. Orthopedic balloons are inserted and then inflated inside the fractured bone in an attempt to restore vertebral body height and correct angular deformity. Inflation of the balloons creates cavities in the vertebral body that are filled with bone cement, forming an “internal cast” to support the surrounding bone and prevent further collapse.

What makes this story so unique is the patient – at 100 years old, it could be difficult to find a doctor willing to do any type of medical procedure, for fear of causing further harm or even death. Others may feel that at 100 years old, it’s best to leave well enough alone. But, luckily for Ms. Daniels, this wasn’t the case. Hopefully, she’ll continue to walk about and live her life to the fullest for as long as she can.

~~~

Image: iStock.com