Kyphoplasty

What is kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to repair spinal compression fractures. A compression fracture causes small cracks or breaks in a vertebra, weakening the bone and increasing its risk of collapse.

Anyone can suffer a compression fracture. But it usually affects people with osteoporosis, a chronic disease that causes the bones to weaken and break. Kyphoplasty prevents the damage from getting worse while restoring your vertebra, relieving pain, and improving your mobility.

Am I a candidate for kyphoplasty?

Consider a kyphoplasty at The Spine Institute of Southeast Texas if you suffer from severe back pain caused by a compression fracture. To qualify for treatment, your pain must be the direct result of a broken vertebra and not another medical condition like osteoarthritis or a herniated disc.

If your compression fracture causes chronic pain and limits your mobility, you’re a kyphoplasty candidate. Dr. Jones will create a personalized treatment plan.

What happens during a kyphoplasty procedure?

A kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure that usually takes 1-2 hours.

On the day of your kyphoplasty, you’ll lie face down on an operating table and an anesthesiologist will administer a general anesthetic, causing you to fall asleep.

After the anesthetic kicks in, Dr. Jones uses X-ray-guided imaging to insert a hollow needle (trocar) beneath your skin and into the affected bone in your spine. Once the trocar is in place, Dr. Jones inserts an inflatable, balloonlike device through it and slowly inflates it.

As the balloon inflates, it returns your vertebrae to its near-original shape and height. It also opens a space into which Dr. Jones injects bone cement. The bone cement prevents further damage to your vertebrae and eases the associated pain.

After the bone cement dries, Dr. Jones removes the needle, applies a bandage, and moves you to a recovery room for observation. Since the anesthetic takes several hours to wear off, a friend or family member must drive you home.

What is recovery like after kyphoplasty?

It’s normal to experience mild pain, stiffness, and bruising after kyphoplasty. Get plenty of rest, follow Dr. Jones’ recovery instructions, and take medication as prescribed. You can return to work and other activities within a week, but avoid overexerting yourself.

Once your body begins to heal, you must enroll in physical therapy. Physical therapy uses stretches, strengthening exercises, and posture correction to relieve pain and speed your recovery.

Call the nearest Spine Institute of Southeast Texas office today to schedule a kyphoplasty consultation, or book your visit online.