What is Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty?
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are common surgical techniques used for painful compression fracture treatment in the spinal column, which are a common result of osteoporosis. Vertebroplasty includes the injection of bone cement into the cancellous bone of the body with the goals of alleviating the pain and preventing loss of vertebral body height. Kyphoplasty is just similar to vertebroplasty. It injects a special cement into the patient’s vertebrae with the additional step of creating space for treatment with a balloon-like device. The procedure is repeated for every affected vertebrae. Kyphoplasty allows the patient to stand straight as it reduces the pain, and prevents further fractures.
Before the procedure:
- Your healthcare provider will examine you by drawing blood for testing and using X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to locate the fractures.
During the procedure:
- An anesthesiologist will deliver medicine so that you would relax for the pain management treatment or to put you to sleep.
- With the result from the X-ray, your physician will insert a needle through your skin and back muscles into the bone, then inflate a balloon to help the vertebra regain its normal shape.
- Your doctor will inject the cement inside while checking X-rays to ensure it’s going into the right location.
- Your doctor will then remove the needle, with no stitches needed.
- The entire procedure will probably take less than an hour, though it may last longer if more vertebrae are treated.
After the procedure:
- Your physician might suggest that you spend your time in a recovery room or go home on the same day. However, the doctor may want you to stay overnight to closely monitor your health.
- The patient may already start walking an hour after getting the treatment. You might feel some soreness where the needle entered your back, but this will last not more than a few days. You may quickly notice that you have less pain than you did before the surgery.
- Consult with your pain management doctor about some activities you should avoid to avoid complications after the surgery.
- Your doctor may suggest taking certain vitamins, minerals and medications to help strengthen your bones and prevent additional spinal fractures.
