SpineJack and How It Can Benefit Myeloma Patients

This week’s Ask Dr. Durie has a unique question. He's heard about a new technology called a SpineJack, which sounds pretty fascinating, but this is a very important question. There is a new procedure which has been introduced recently called the SpineJack. And this is something that functions pretty much the same way that you would use a Jack to raise up your car to change the tire. 

In this case, the little jack is inserted into a collapsed vertebra to raise up the space where the vertebra has collapsed and open up enough space so that rapid hardening cement can be injected into the opened up space. And so the little jack is inserted, opened up to raise the bottom and the top of the vertebra, and then the hardening cement is inserted. 

There is a very nice video available online for any patient who might want to take a look at this procedure. It is one which has just been introduced rather recently. And so, there's not a big experience for myeloma patients, but certainly is something that can be considered for myeloma patients with one or more collapsed vertebrae to raise the height of the vertebra and perhaps correct a tendency for curvature or kyphosis. 

Also, the procedure reduces pain. And so, this is an alternative to the procedures that have been available for some time, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.  

The Bottom line, SpineJack is an interesting new technology which may be a step forward in securely raising the height of vertebrae and providing some straightening of the spine and also pain relief. So something to be aware of.