Publications by authors named "K Dafonseca"

One of the current standard treatment options for younger patients with stable traumatic vertebral fractures is conservative treatment using braces. Kyphoplasty as a minimally invasive procedure has been shown to be effective in stabilizing vertebral body fractures, resulting in immediate pain relief and improved physical function. The purpose of this prospective study was to clarify whether patients with acute traumatic vertebral fractures benefit more from kyphoplasty or from conservative treatment with a brace.

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This study investigated the prevalence of the intravertebral vacuum phenomenon (IVP) and osteonecroses in vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). We therefore performed an histological analysis of biopsies obtained from VCFs prior to balloon kyphoplasty. Computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed regarding the presence of an IVP (i.

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Approximately 500,000 vertebral fractures occur as a result of osteoporosis every year in Europe. One third of the patients thus affected complain of severe back pain and seek treatment. In the past, the treatment of such fractures was limited to conservative methods, such as the use of braces and analgesics and long-term immobilisation followed by physiotherapy.

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Background: Experience of just under 5 years has shown that balloon kyphoplasty can be just as successfully employed as the longer-stablished vertebroplasty for the treatment of back pain due to recent or prior osteoporotic fractures as well as new traumatic fractures.

Material And Method: Among 345 patients with a total of 690 treated vertebral bodies, the change in pain symptomatology was analyzed for a follow-up period of 12 months in 40 study patients who underwent kyphoplasty and a control group of 20 patients. In addition, the pain experienced by a further 29 patients with new traumatic vertebral body fractures was monitored over a 12-month period.

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Approximately 500,000 vertebral fractures occur as a result of osteoporosis every year in Europe. One third of the patients thus affected complain of severe back pain and seek treatment. In the past, the treatment of such fractures was limited to conservative methods, such as the use of braces and analgesics and long-term immobilisation followed by physiotherapy.

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