72-Year-Old Woman Stands Tall Again After Rare Spine Correction

Thiruvananthapuram: Doctors at KIMSHEALTH successfully corrected a severe spinal deformity in a 72-year-old patient from Tamil Nadu, who had been experiencing difficulty in walking for over the past two years.

On detailed evaluation it was found that she had an undiagnosed and improperly treated fracture of the D11 vertebra following a fall, leading to severe kyphoscoliosis a condition where the spine bends both forward (kyphosis) and sideways (scoliosis) along with severe osteoporosis.

She presented at the OP with a severe bend of the spine, which hindered her ability to walk, sleep, and eat properly. Dr. Ranjith Unnikrishnan, Consultant Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, KIMSHEALTH, initiated a course of bone-building therapy, including calcium supplements, for three months to improve her bone density before surgery.

Scoliosis correction surgery in older adults presents unique challenges, especially in people with severe osteoporosis and soft bones. Reports say that scoliosis is estimated to affect up to 68% of adults over the age of 60.

As the degenerative changes in the bones occur with aging, it can worsen the curvature of the spine resulting in pain, discomfort, and limitations in mobility, said Dr. Ranjith Unnikrishnan.

A complex osteotomy and internal fixation surgery was then performed, extending from the D2 vertebra to the pelvis, to realign and stabilize the spine. Osteotomy and internal fixation are two surgical procedures usually done together to correct bone deformities.

Osteotomy involves cutting the bone to realign it and internal fixation uses metal implants to stabilize the bone during healing. Due to her soft and osteoporotic bones, regular screws could not be used. Instead, the surgical team opted for cement-augmented fixation, a technique where bone cement is injected into the screws to enhance the grip and stability of the fragile bones.

Despite the complexity, the patient was able to stand and walk the very next day. Her posture and mobility were restored, so is her quality of life. Dr. Jacob John Theophylius, Senior Consultant, Department of Anesthesia, KIMSHEALTH , was the lead anesthetist of the eight hour long surgery.