Kyphoplasty is a Minimally Invasive Spine Surgical procedure that fills a compression fracture and/or collapsed vertebra with surgical grade cement. The procedure is designed to restore original shape and configuration of the affected vertebral body. A major goal of the surgery is to alleviate pain caused by a collapsed fracture as well as bone stabilization and restoration of some or all of any lost vertebral body height.
Candidates for Kyphoplasty often suffer from spinal deformities. Kyphoplasty is ideally completed within eight weeks of when the patient’s fracture occurs, as this ensures a greater likelihood of height restoration.
How is it performed?
A Minimally Invasive Kyphoplasty is performed by making a small incision in the back through which the doctor places a narrow tube. Using fluoroscopy to guide it to the correct position, the tube creates a path through the back into the fractured section of the affected vertebrae. Using X-ray imaging, the doctor inserts a balloon through the tube and into the vertebrae. As the balloon inflates, the fracture elevates and puts the pieces of the fractured vertebrae back into a more normal position. After this, the balloon is removed and the doctor uses special instrumentation to fill the cavity with surgical grade cement which hardens quickly and stabilizes the bone.
