Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat spinal fractures caused by injury or osteoporosis. In most cases, it is performed in coordination with a vertebroplasty, which is when a cement mixture is injected into bone to provide strength. For this mixture to be placed inside the bone, a space must first be made. During a kyphoplasty, the necessary space is made by inserting and inflating a small balloon. This balloon is then removed after the cement has been placed.

Did You Know?

Since kyphoplasty is often performed in coordination with vertebroplasty, it is sometimes referred to as balloon vertebroplasty.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Am I a candidate for kyphoplasty?

You may be a candidate for kyphoplasty if you have bones that have been weakened by osteoporosis or cancer, causing them to fracture. However, kyphoplasty is only effective on recent fractures and is not recommended for preventative treatments, herniated discs, arthritis, or scoliosis. Additionally, kyphoplasty is generally only performed on older individuals with low bone density. To find out if you are an ideal candidate for kyphoplasty, schedule a consultation with Ascension Pain Specialists today.

What can I expect when having kyphoplasty performed at Ascension Pain Specialists?

Before the procedure, diagnostic imaging such as an X-ray and/or MRI will be performed so your doctor can visualize the treatment area. You will then receive an IV that provides you with anesthesia and other possible medications for pain, nausea, and to prevent infection. Once the IV is in place, you will lie on your stomach and the injection site on your back will be cleaned, sterilized, and anesthetized.

During kyphoplasty, a hollow needle will first be inserted into your skin and guided to the treatment location using fluoroscopy. Then, an inflatable balloon is inserted into this hollow needle and inflated to create the necessary space. Once the space has been created, the cement mixture will then be injected to fill the space. Then, the needle will be removed, the area will be bandaged, and your IV will be removed. In most cases, the entire procedure takes less than an hour.

What can I expect after having kyphoplasty?

After kyphoplasty, you can expect to spend a short time in recovery. However, you should be up and walking within an hour of your procedure, and you’ll likely be able to go home the same day. In some cases, you may need to spend a night in the hospital, especially if you had the procedure on more than one vertebrae, had complications, or you have underlying health conditions that need to be monitored. While you can expect some soreness in the first 48 hours, most patients report feeling much better after the 48 hour mark. Finally, you can expect to take it easy until your doctor tells you when you can resume normal activities.