Advanced technology relieves pain in minimally invasive spinal surgery
February 22, 2019
Lifetime Kansas City resident Randy Long has always been one to do for himself or for others. The 39-year veteran of a local engineered building systems company has served as an engineer technician and as an IT support specialist. He maintains his own cars. He does his own home projects. He does home projects for friends. But today, he’s finding himself leaning on others for support down a challenging road.
Randy has multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. He turned to experts at The University of Kansas Health System and The University of Kansas Cancer Center for innovative care to help him triumph over these conditions.
Some of that care was provided by neurosurgeon Michael Kinsman, MD.
This procedure can be very helpful in treating pain associated with spinal tumors and the tumor itself. It was a pleasure taking care of Mr. Long and I am very happy that the procedure provided such good benefit. Michael Kinsman, M.D., Neurosurgeon
Complex condition: Innovative care
Randy had been making frequent trips to urgent care clinics for flaring lower-back pain, a common effect of multiple myeloma, a cancer that accumulates within the bone marrow and weakens bones. He visited a chiropractor and had X-rays taken, but nothing was found. Randy sought treatment from an orthopedic surgeon. That doctor ordered a lower- and mid-back MRI, which revealed damaged bone tissue. He referred Randy to an oncologist, who in turn recommended Randy also visit Dr. Kinsman
While Randy faces ongoing care to treat his complex condition, Dr. Kinsman provided immediate relief for the back pain. He used the innovative OsteoCool™ radio frequency ablation system to remove the damaging lesion tissue from Randy’s spine. This provided immediate pain relief in a controlled, targeted and minimally invasive manner.
Dr. Kinsman then performed a procedure called a kyphoplasty, in which he used a specialized cement to fill the space left behind by a balloon inflated within the bone to restore its shape. The cement material quickly hardens and strengthened the spine. This eliminates the pain caused by spinal compression.
“This was an outpatient procedure that left behind just 2 little puncture wounds,” Randy says. “It provided immediate pain relief. I would go back to Dr. Kinsman in a heartbeat.”
With the back pain resolved, Randy is focused on a bone marrow transplant to address the multiple myeloma.
“This medical team is putting the pieces together for me,” he says.