Osteoporosis, trauma and bone tumors are typical indications for a kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty. One in two women can expect to have a fracture in their lifetime. People often do not know they have osteoporosis until their bones become weak and a bump or fall causes the vertebrae to fracture. The body of the vertebrae collapses and is compressed or fractured. More than 1 vertebrae may be affected concurrently. This causes severe pain; especially when moving. Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty (also known as vertebral augmentation), is a procedure used to treat a vertebral compression fracture. A medical grade cement is injected into the middle of a vertebral body to strengthen the bone, making it less likely to fracture again while also providing pain relief. A Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty is performed by an Interventional Radiologist. An IV will be placed to give you sedation and pain medication during the minimally invasive procedure. The physician will verify the fracture by viewing it under x-ray guidance as well as evaluating a previously performed MRI/CT/Bone Scan. After you are lightly sedated, the Interventional Radiologist will place a larger needle into the vertebrae and inject the cement to strengthen the vertebral body. Similar to vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty is performed by first inserting a small surgical balloon that creates a cavity within the fractured vertebral body. The cavity is then filled with the bone cement. Both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty provide the same outcome; the difference is mainly the technique used to perform the procedure. After the kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty, you will be moved to the recovery area.
Benefits include a minimally invasive outpatient procedure which provides pain relief. Risks include infection into the muscle or bone, possibility of cement migrating into the spinal canal resulting in symptoms of a permanent herniated disk or paralysis.