KYPHOPLASTY
If you experience one spinal compression fracture due to osteoporosis, you have a very high risk of developing additional compression fractures. The physicians at Spinetech repair vertebral compression fractures and strengthen your spine with kyphoplasty. This minimally invasive surgery is highly effective, but it must be done shortly after you suffer the compression fracture.
WHAT IS KYPHOPLASTY?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to repair spinal compression fractures. The surgery stabilizes your spine, relieves pain, and restores height to the affected vertebrae.
Kyphoplasty is only effective when the procedure is done within eight weeks of a compression fracture. If you wait longer, the bone has enough time to heal and the damage can’t be repaired with kyphoplasty.
WHAT CAUSES A SPINAL COMPRESSION FRACTURE?
Spinal compression fractures occur when one or more vertebrae are too weak to support your body’s movement or weight. Osteoporosis is the primary cause of spinal compression fractures. In severe cases, your bones are so brittle that they develop a compression fracture from a simple activity like bending over.
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Compression fractures typically occur in the front part of the vertebra, making it collapse and lose height. Meanwhile, the back side maintains its normal height. When this happens to several adjoining vertebrae in your middle back, they form a rounded shape and create a hump, a condition called kyphosis.
WHAT SYMPTOMS DEVELOP DUE TO A SPINAL COMPRESSION FRACTURE?
After developing a spinal compression fracture, you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
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Sudden back pain
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Pain that worsens when you stand or walk
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Limited spinal movement
Over time, untreated spinal compression fractures cause deformity and disability.
HOW IS KYPHOPLASTY PERFORMED?
Your doctor at Spinetech makes a small incision and inserts a narrow needle into the damaged vertebra. The needle’s insertion and placement are guided using a continuous, real-time X-ray image.
When the needle is in place, a balloon is placed through the needle and into the vertebra. As your doctor inflates the balloon, it corrects the fracture and boosts the collapsed side of the bone.
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Then the balloon is deflated and removed, and your doctor fills the space with bone cement. The cement restores the vertebra’s normal shape, strengthens the bone, and stabilizes the spine.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER KYPHOPLASTY?
Since kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, most patients go home the same day. You need to take it easy for the first 24 hours and avoid vigorous activities or exercise for about six weeks.
Most patients who undergo kyphoplasty experience a significant reduction in their back pain. To learn more about kyphoplasty, call Spinetech or book an appointment online.