Kyphoplasty

Overview

Kyphoplasty is used to treat spinal fractures. These are usually hairline breaks in the vertebral body or bones in your spine. They can lead to collapse or compression, which can be very painful. Fractures also can change the angle of your spine, giving you a hunched over appearance.

This minimally invasive procedure uses special needles and advanced imaging to pinpoint the fracture. After numbing the skin, your doctor will use an inflatable balloon to restore the height of the bone, followed by cement to repair the break.

Who Benefits?

Fractures can cause severe and debilitating pain. Your doctor will help you decide if the treatment is right for you.

Are There Different Approaches to This Treatment?

Kyphoplasty is similar to vertebroplasty. Both are minimally invasive procedures performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia, light sedation or general anesthesia.

Vertebroplasty is now less common than kyphoplasty, though they share many of the same instruments and techniques. Vertebroplasty, however, does not use the specialized balloon.

Recovery Expectations

The procedure is done in an outpatient setting, and you typically do not stay overnight in the hospital. The procedure generally takes less than an hour. Pain relief may be almost immediate, or it may take a few days. You’ll have a bandage and may feel sore for several days.