What is Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a recently developed technique to decrease or eliminate the pain of spinal compression fractures, to stabilize the bone, and to restore some or all of the lost vertebral body height due to the compression fracture, which is often seen in patients with osteoporosis.
What will the procedure be like?
Through two small incisions, the doctor creates narrow pathways into the fractured bone and inserts two special balloons.
The balloons are inflated, moving the collapsed portion of the vertebra. The purpose is to restore the fractured bone toward its original shape.
Once the doctor has achieved the desired result, the balloons are deflated and removed. The doctor then uses specially designed instruments under low pressure to fill the cavity with a cement-like material called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The material quickly hardens, stabilizing the bone.
The procedure takes an average of 30-45 minutes per fracture treated.
What can I expect after the procedure?
Pain relief will be immediate for some patients. In others, elimination or reduction of pain is reported within two days. At home, patients can return to their normal daily activities, although strenuous exertion, such as heavy lifting, should be avoided for at least six weeks.
Am I a candidate for Kyphoplasty?
This procedure requires a referral from your physician. Consult with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for Kyphoplasty.