Minimally Invasive Spine Procedure: Balloon Kyphoplasty

Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed to treat vertebral body compression fractures. Kyphoplasty uses orthopaedic bone cement to stabilize the fracture. Benefits include spinal deformity correction, significant pain relief, and return to an active life so you can stay healthy, strong, and independent.

Balloon Kyphoplasty Procedure

Kyphoplasty is performed under local or general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the back. Using image guided x-ray technology a narrow tube is threaded through the incision to the fractured vertebra. A special balloon, a bone tamp is inserted through the tube into the vertebra and gently inflated to restore the vertebral body height. Next, the bone tamp is removed and the space is filled with Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), an orthopaedic bone cement. The cement hardens and repairs the fracture and stabilizes and strengthens the vertebral body. Vertebral body height is restored and pain is relieved. The procedure takes about 1-hour per fracture treated.

Benefits

Besides the benefits mentioned earlier, others include:

• It is a minimally invasive procedure, which means small incisions and shorter surgical recovery time.
  
  
• Patients only need to stay in the hospital one day (sometimes less).
  
  
• Most patients experience immediate pain relief and are quickly able to return to their normal daily activities.
  
  
• No bracing is required.
  
  
• Future fractures may be avoided. By stabilizing the fractured vertebra, the onset or worsening of severe spinal deformity is prevented.

Possible Risks, Complications

All surgical procedures, including kyphoplasty involves risks and complications. Some risks and complications are not related to the procedure, but the patient’s general health. Your surgeon will carefully and thoroughly review these with you.

Conclusion

Although balloon kyphoplasty is appropriate for all patients, our specialists can talk to you about other treatment choices. Our skilled surgeons perform many balloon kyphoplasty procedures and are pleased to answer all of your questions.