Is Kyphoplasty Right For You?

Is Kyphoplasty right for you?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat compression fractures and increase mobility. As a result, it will decrease pain in your back and spine. By stabilizing the fracture, Kyphoplasty restores spinal function quickly which is particularly important for elderly patients.

These compression fractures lead to collapse of a vertebra which causes shortening of the spine, curvature, and deformation.

Many postmenopausal women are at a higher risk for vertebral fractures which can cause a loss in height. However, fractures can occur in men and younger adults at risk for bone fragility.

The Kyphoplasty procedure involves injecting the acrylic bone into the fracture. This is a quick and virtually painless procedure with immediate results.

How it works:

A small incision is made in your back
A catheter tube with a balloon tip is guided into the vertebrae
The balloon is inflated to create a cavity
The balloon is deflated and removed
The cavity is filled with bone cement
The bone cement hardens in about 10 minutes

With the help of a special guided X-Ray, the doctor is able to get the bone cement into the bone. This type of procedure used to require invasive surgery with a lengthy recovery.

However, with Kyphoplasty, patients can start walking within hours of the procedure and return home the same day.

Who is a good candidate for this procedure?

If you have the following symptoms, you are most likely a good candidate:

Increasing back pain due to osteoporotic compression fractures
Reduced ability to move and function due to fracture
Pain is related to the fracture and not due to other problems

Most patients feel improved mobility within a few days of the procedure and can resume their usual activity prior to the fracture. The majority of patients are very satisfied with their results.

Here is some more information about Kyphoplasty.

Key Takeaways:

Kyphoplasty restores spinal function
Quick and virtually painless procedure
Improved mobility within a few days

Dr. Rich and his team at ACellerated Ortho can help determine if this procedure is right for you by scheduling a consultation to review your symptoms.