Why Do I Need a Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is an innovative, minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that has proven to strengthen the vertebrae of your spine and significantly improve pain caused by vertebral body compression fractures. Fractures are often secondary to osteoporosis, cancer metastasis, or trauma. This therapy has helped people even when conservative therapies have not provided adequate relief.
How Does a Kyphoplasty Work?
Kyphoplasty stabilizes the fracture which decreases pain. It has also been shown to restore vertebral height and vertical alignment that was damaged by the collapse of the vertebrae.
How Is a Kyphoplasty Performed?
Kyphoplasty is also referred to Balloon Assisted Vertebroplasty. This method involves placing needles into the fractured vertebra and placing a strong inflatable balloon into the vertebra under X-ray. When the balloon is inflated, it makes a space in the center of the vertebrae, where acrylic cement can be injected using low pressure. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and then the patient then lies flat for about 30 minutes while the cement hardens, after which pain relief should be immediately noticed.
What Are the potential Risks With a Kyphoplasty?
As with any invasive procedure there is the risk of infection and bleeding at the injection site.
What Should I Expect Following This Procedure?
You will lie flat for 30 minutes afterward and slowly get up. You will then be discharged about 1 hour afterwards. Typically, day to day activities are resumed the following day. There is minimal soreness at the site of the procedure.