Cancer Patient Illustrates Impact of Balloon Kyphoplasty in the Treatment of Spinal Fractures.SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Kyphon Inc. (Nasdaq:KYPH) and Balloon Kyphoplasty Will be Featured on American Health American Health Inc. is a company that manufactures health supplements. It is located in Holbrook, New York. One of its products is labeled the "Chewable Original Papaya Enzyme" with the attached registered trademark, "The 'After Meal Supplement'". Radio on Monday, December 6, 2004 When Tom Callaghan had a hole-in-one on the fourth hole of his favorite golf course in 1998, he didn't expect to be carried off the course less than an hour later after collapsing in agony on the ninth tee. A tumor had disintegrated a vertebra vertebra /ver·te·bra/ (ver´te-brah) pl. ver´tebrae [L.] any of the 33 bones of the vertebral (spinal) column, comprising 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal vertebrae . in the middle of his back, compressing his spinal cord spinal cord, the part of the nervous system occupying the hollow interior (vertebral canal) of the series of vertebrae that form the spinal column, technically known as the vertebral column. and causing unbearable back pain. Then 51 and practicing law, Callaghan was diagnosed with multiple myeloma multiple myeloma A malignant proliferation of abnormal plasma cells that populate the marrow-containing bones of the body. The affected plasma cells produce myeloma protein, a monoclonal antibody that replaces normal antibodies in the blood, thereby increasing susceptibility , a cancer of bone, and given just two years to live. Callaghan is one of an estimated 100,000 Americans suffering from multiple myeloma. The International Myeloma myeloma /my·elo·ma/ (mi?e-lo´mah) a tumor composed of cells of the type normally found in the bone marrow. giant cell myeloma see under tumor (1). Foundation estimates that as many as half of these patients will experience fractures of the spine causing debilitating de·bil·i·tat·ing adj. Causing a loss of strength or energy. Debilitating Weakening, or reducing the strength of. Mentioned in: Stress Reduction back pain and substantially reducing quality of life. "I couldn't stand up straight," Callaghan said. "The pain was constant. I couldn't stand for more than a couple minutes without severe pain. And I couldn't play golf, which is my passion." Callaghan learned about a treatment option, Balloon Kyphoplasty, to address his vertebral compression fractures vertebral compression fracture Compression fracture of back Orthopedics A traumatic fracture of a vertebral body which may occur in a background of osteoporosis or malignancy and cause kyphosis and spinal cord pressure. See Herniated disk. and underwent the procedure three times: once in May 2001 and twice in August 2001. "My pain was relieved almost immediately after the procedure," said Callaghan, now 57. "It was truly remarkable. I was able to play golf that summer. I could stand up straight and walk pain-free." Ever the fighter, Tom has also exhibited remarkable improvement during the six years since his diagnosis. "I have an immense and renewed appreciation for life and all that goes with it. Every day is precious," Tom remarks. Balloon Kyphoplasty, pioneered by Kyphon, is a minimally invasive spine procedure that has been demonstrated to achieve sustained vertebral ver·te·bral adj. 1. Of, relating to, or of the nature of a vertebra. 2. Having or consisting of vertebrae. 3. Having a spinal column. body height restoration and angular deformity angular deformity deformity of limbs by angulation at joints or in the bones themselves. See also diaphyseal, metaphyseal, epiphyseal dysplasia. correction in patients with vertebral body compression fractures caused by osteoporosis, cancer, and benign lesions. The procedure is associated with significant and maintained reduction in back pain, improvement in quality of life, and increase in ability to perform activities of daily living and patient mobility. As with most surgical procedures, there are risks associated with kyphoplasty, including serious complications, although the complication rate with balloon kyphoplasty has been demonstrated to be low. "I am very proud to play a role in helping our physician customers deliver substantial quality of life improvement to patients like Tom, who suffer terribly from diseases like multiple myeloma," commented Richard Mott, president and chief executive officer of Kyphon Inc. "Since the procedure was launched in 2000, over 100,000 patients have been treated." Callaghan and Mott will be interviewed about Balloon Kyphoplasty on Monday, December 6, 2004 on American Health Radio, a nationally syndicated health radio program hosted by Scott Broder. The program will air live at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Monday, December 6, and can be accessed at http://www.wrmn1410.com. A replay of the program will be available on Wednesday, December 8, at 8:00 p.m. Central Standard Time and on Friday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. About Kyphon Inc. (Nasdaq:KYPH) Kyphon develops and markets medical devices designed to restore spinal function using minimally invasive technology. The Company's products are used in Balloon Kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure Minimally invasive surgical procedures avoid open invasive surgery in favor of closed or local surgery with less trauma. These procedures involve use of laparoscopic devices and remote-control manipulation of instruments with indirect observation of the surgical field through an to treat spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis and cancer. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.kyphon.com. Kyphon's innovation was recently recognized by the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF IMF See: International Monetary Fund IMF See International Monetary Fund (IMF). ). Kyphon Co-founder, Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer Karen Talmadge, Ph.D. received the IMF Quality of Life award for leading Kyphon in the development of new therapies and tools to enhance myeloma patients' quality of life. Kyphon is a registered trademark of Kyphon Inc. |
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