Kyphoplasty is a treatment option for vertebral compression fractures, which are small breaks in the bone that make up the front portion of the spine. Vertebral fractures lead to the collapse or compression of the spine. This can produce pain and/or deformity. The main cause of vertebral compression is osteoporosis, but can also occur due to cancer or trauma.
Kyphoplasty is considered a minimally invasive procedure. The procedure depending upon your overall health status can be performed in our office or outpatient surgical center. Your physician will determine which site is best for you.
The goal of kyphoplasty is to create stability for the fractured vertebra to reduce pain and address is the collapse of the spine. The procedure will be performed with IV sedation to keep you comfortable throughout the brief procedure.
During the procedure, your physician will use fluoroscopy, which is a type of x-ray to guide instruments throughout the procedure. Once you are comfortable with IV sedation your physician will insert a needle through the muscle of your back and near the broken vertebra. A balloon is inflated through the needle to create space near the broken vertebra and then filled with a cement mixture. The cement will create stability for the broken vertebra. Once the cement mixture is in place, the needle will be removed. Finally, your physician will bandage the area.
If only one vertebra is being treated the procedure usually takes less than an hour. Because of the IV sedation used during the procedure you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.
Following the procedure you will stay in recovery for a brief period of time. Your physician will advise you of the following:
If you or someone you know has been experiencing pain associated with a vertebral fracture, schedule an appointment with one of our providers to learn more about whether kyphoplasty might be right for you.
