ST. PAUL, MN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/15/07 -- Physicians with HealthEast Care System will perform an innovative spine procedure live on the Internet. The procedure at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota will take place on April 19 at 4:00 PM Central Time. You can ask the physicians questions during the webcast on www.OR-Live.com.

The physicians will be performing a procedure called balloon kyphoplasty, which treats spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis. Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive procedure designed to stop pain caused by bone fractures in the patient's spine. This procedure can also help stabilize the bone and restore some or all of the patient's height lost by the fractures.

This live webcast will involve physicians from HealthEast Spine Care and HealthEast Osteoporosis Care. Mark Myers, MD, an interventional neuroradiologist, will perform the balloon kyphoplasty. Joining Dr. Myers with commentary will be Michael Madison, MD, an interventional neuroradiologist and medical director of the HealthEast Neurovascular Institute, and international osteoporosis expert, Christine Simonelli, MD, internal medicine physician and medical director of HealthEast Osteoporosis Care.

During balloon kyphoplasty, the doctor makes a small incision in the back and places a narrow tube through it. Using x-ray images, the doctor inserts a special balloon through the tube and into the vertebrae and then the balloon is inflated. As the balloon inflates, it elevates the fracture, achieving a more normal position. The balloon is removed and the doctor uses specially designed instruments under low pressure to fill in the cavity with a cement-like material called polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA. The paste material hardens quickly and stabilizes the bone. Balloon Kyphoplasty can be done as an outpatient procedure.

This cutting-edge treatment is ideal for certain patients with osteoporosis experiencing painful symptoms from recent compression fractures. Balloon Kyphopasty should be done within eight weeks of a fracture for the best results in restoring the patient's height.

The community is invited to watch the April 19 web cast live on their computer or from viewing areas at the HealthEast hospitals in Minnesota including: St. Joseph's Hospital, 69 W. Exchange Street in downtown St. Paul; St. John's Hospital at 1575 Beam Avenue in Maplewood; and Woodwinds Health Campus at 1925 Woodwinds Drive in Woodbury.

Visit http://www.or-live.com/HealthEast/1749 now to learn more and view a program preview. VNR http://or-live.com/rams/hee-1749-mkw-q.ram

Video-Link Available: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=445686

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Alex Fraser
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