What Is Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty?
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures to treat painful vertebral compression fractures in the spine. The procedure is designed to stabilize the fractured bone and possibly restore some of the body height loss of the fractured vertebral body. These fractures are commonly the result of osteoporosis, injury, or secondary to tumor.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a compression fracture is oftentimes initially made by an x-ray of the back and confirmed by a CT scan or MRI.
Procedure
Patients visiting our website can expect a streamlined procedure for treating fractured bones using either general anesthesia or moderate sedation. During the procedure, a small needle is precisely guided into the fractured bone from the back with the aid of real-time x-ray imaging, eliminating the need for any incision or stitches. Once the needle is correctly positioned within the bone, one of two techniques is employed: vertebroplasty, where a cement-like material known as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is directly injected into the bone, or kyphoplasty, wherein a balloon is first inserted to create space for the cement delivery. The injected cement quickly hardens, providing stability to the bone. Post-treatment, a significant majority of patients experience notable improvements, with more than 75% reporting regained mobility, enhanced activity levels, and varying degrees of pain relief.
After Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty
Following the procedure, patients will undergo observation for a few hours before being discharged home on the same day. It is advised not to drive on the day of the procedure, especially after anesthesia or while under the influence of prescription pain medications. Rest is recommended post-procedure, with avoidance of heavy lifting for the week following. In the days that ensue, the majority of patients, exceeding 75%, typically experience noticeable improvement in symptoms.
