Kyphoplasty

What is kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty treats selected painful compression fractures in a vertebra—the bones that form your spine. A small balloon creates a space within the damaged bone, which is filled with medical bone cement. The aim is to stabilize the fracture and reduce fracture-related pain; some lost vertebral height may also be restored.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine: Kyphoplasty

When might it be considered?

A compression fracture happens when a vertebra cracks and loses height. Osteoporosis can weaken the bone enough for a fracture to occur during an everyday movement or after a fall. Pain is often felt near the fracture and may worsen when you change position.

Many compression fractures improve without surgery. Medication, activity adjustments, and sometimes a brace may be considered first. Kyphoplasty may be an option when a recent fracture causes severe, persistent pain. Examination and imaging help determine whether the fracture explains your symptoms and whether it is new or already healed.

Source: AAOS OrthoInfo: Osteoporosis and spinal fractures

How the procedure works

1. Comfort and positioning: You lie on your stomach. Local anesthetic and sedation, or general anesthesia, are used according to the treatment plan.
2. Image-guided access: Using X-ray guidance, the clinician passes a narrow instrument through a small skin opening into the fractured vertebra.
3. Balloon placement: A balloon is inflated inside the bone to create a cavity, then removed.
4. Stabilization: Bone cement fills the cavity and hardens to support the damaged vertebra. The instrument is removed and the opening is covered.

Source: RadiologyInfo (ACR/RSNA): Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

Benefits and risks to discuss

Pain relief varies, and the likely benefit needs to be weighed against the risks. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, increased pain, nerve injury, an allergic reaction, or cement escaping outside the intended area. Ask how your health and fracture pattern affect that balance.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine: Kyphoplasty

What happens afterward?

After monitoring in recovery, some patients go home that day; others stay overnight. Temporary soreness at the entry site can occur. Follow your own care team’s instructions for walking, lifting, and returning to daily activities. Improvement and recovery time differ between patients.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine: Kyphoplasty

Caring for your bone health

Treating a fracture is only part of the plan when osteoporosis is present. Bone-density testing and treatment for bone loss may help guide ongoing care and reduce the risk of another fracture. Ask who will coordinate this follow-up.

Source: AAOS OrthoInfo: Osteoporosis and spinal fractures