Learn About
Kyphoplasty
Overview
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty is a procedure that helps relieve pain associated with compression fractures of the vertebral body, a thick block of bone located on the front of each spine vertebra. Osteoporosis, a disease that attacks bone and causes the spine to weaken and become brittle is one of the primary causes of compression fractures. The vertebral body becomes so thin that it can break from simple movements such as twisting, bending, and even coughing. In addition to relieving pain, kyphoplasty is designed to stabilize the bone and restore some or all of the lost vertebral body height due to the compression fracture.
Using a balloon-type device called a bone tamp, the doctor will stabilize the bone and inject a bone cement mixture of polymethylmethacrylate (the same cement used in joint replacement surgery), barium or tantalum powder (makes the cement visible on X-ray), an antibiotic, and a solvent into the vertebral body. The cement will harden, strengthen and stabilize the vertebra, and prevent further collapse. Most patients report pain relief within 24 to 72 hours and between 70% and 80% have sustained pain relief.
Kyphoplasty
Procedure Details
Will you be asleep for the procedure? Normally, kyphoplasty is performed with numbing medicine (local anesthesia) and other medication to keep you comfortable. Under special circumstances, the doctor may recommend that you go to sleep. How long will the procedure take? Kyphoplasty usually takes about one hour for each vertebra.
Procedure Overview
Kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed in the operating room or a special procedure room. When brought to the operating or special procedure room, you are connected to monitoring equipment (EKG monitor, blood pressure cuff, and a blood-oxygen monitoring device), and positioned on your stomach. The doctor or nurse will start an intravenous line and give some medicine to help you relax. Your back is cleansed with an antiseptic soap after which the doctor injects numbing medicine deep into your skin and tissue. This will cause a burning sensation for a few seconds. A small incision is made in the back through which the doctor places a narrow tube. Using a special X-ray machine called a fluoroscope, the doctor guides the tube to the correct position.
The tube creates a path through the back into the fractured vertebra. The doctor inserts the bone tamp through the tube and into the vertebra, then gently and carefully inflates it. As the balloon inflates, it elevates the fracture, returning the pieces to a more normal position. It also compacts the soft inner bone to create a cavity inside the vertebra. The balloon is removed and the doctor uses specially designed instruments under low pressure to fill the cavity with the bone cement. After being injected, the cement hardens quickly, stabilizing the bone. After the procedure, you will continue lying on your stomach for an hour or two. We ask that you remain at the Clinic until the doctor feels you are ready to leave.