Kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure used to treat painful compression fractures in the spine. In a compression fracture, all or part of a spine bone collapses.
The procedure is also called balloon kyphoplasty.
Alternative NamesBalloon kyphoplasty DescriptionKyphoplasty is done in a hospital or outpatient clinic.
You lay face down on a table. The health care provider cleans the area of your back and applies medicine to numb the area.
The doctor places a large needle through the skin and into the spine bone. Real-time x-ray images are used to guide the doctor to the correct area in your lower back.
A balloon is placed through the needle, into the bone, and then inflated. This restores the height of the vertebrae. Cement is then injected into the space to make sure it does not collapse again.
IndicationsA common cause of compression fractures of the spine is thinning of your bones, or osteoporosis. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you have severe and disabling pain for 2 months or more that does not get better with bed rest, pain medicines, and physical therapy.
Your doctor may also recommend this procedure if you have a painful compression fractures of the spine due to
Kyphoplasty is generally safe. Complications may include:
You will probably go home on the same day of surgery. You should not drive, unless your doctor says it is OK.
After the procedure:
Before surgery, always tell your doctor or nurse:
During the days before the surgery:
On the day of the surgery:
Patients who have kyphoplasty usually have less pain and a better quality of life after the surgery. They usually need fewer pain medicines, and can move better than before.
ReferencesWardlaw D, Cummings SR, Van Meirhaeghe J, et al. Efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty compared with non-surgical care for vertebral compression fracture (FREE): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2009;373(9668):1016-24.
Berenson J, Pflugmacher R, Jarzem P, et al.; Cancer Patient Fracture Evaluation (CAFE) Investigators. Balloon kyphoplasty versus non-surgical fracture management for treatment of painful vertebral body compression fractures in patients with cancer: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol. 2011 Mar;12(3):225-35.
Anselmetti GC, Muto M, Guglielmi G, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. Radiol Clin North Am. 2010 May;48(3):641-9.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/01/2011
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
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Kyphoplasty is used for helping people that have injuries or pain from a vertebral compression fracture. It helps relieve some of the pain and stress from it.
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Kyphoplasty is a surgery to repair spine fracture. In this surgery, a balloon is used to give structure back to a vertebral disc (which is crushed or compressed by the fracture). Then the space opened up by the balloon is filled with bone cement, which acts as bone to provide structure for the spine.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive back surgery that stops the pain associated with fractures. It can also be used to stabilize the vertebrae and to restore the vertebral body height. Answer Kyphoplasty benefits individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis in the spine. Those diagnosed with other spinal conditions that result in damage or destruction of the vertebra may also benefit from the kyphoplasty procedure. However, the procedure is not designed to help those with full deformities of the spine and even some patients with osteoporosis may not be qualified for the procedure.
V58.78 Aftercare following surgery musculoskeletal system Not otherwise classified
In the United States, kyphoplasty can cost between $2,000 to $14,000 depending on geographic location, surgeon and the degree of severity as well as how many vertebrae are being treated with the surgery. This does not include the cost of hospital stays, operating room fees, anesthesiologist fees, and other common additional costs. Medical travelers to destinations such as Croatia or India may save thousands of dollars on the procedure.
Treatments for benign vertebral hemangioma vary depending on the type and symptoms, if any, caused by the tumor. Treatments may include radiation therapy, embolization, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, intralesional alcohol injection, and as a last resort, surgical removal.
Osteoporosis-related compression fractures are typically treated by healthcare professionals such as orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and primary care physicians. Treatment may include pain management, physical therapy, and medications to strengthen bone density. In some cases, minimally invasive procedures like vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty may be performed to stabilize the fracture and relieve pain. Regular follow-up and monitoring are essential to manage osteoporosis effectively.
Medical terms that start with the letter K include kyphosis, ketoacidosis, keratitis, keratotomy, Klinefelter's syndrome, kallman's syndrome, Klebsiella pneumonia, knee replacement, knuckle, klonopin, and kyphoplasty.
DefinitionVertebroplasty is an outpatient procedure used to treat painful compression fractures in the spine. In a compression fracture, all or part of a spine bone collapses. DescriptionVertebroplasty is done in a hospital or outpatient clinic.You may have local anesthesia (awake and unable to feel pain). You will likely also receive medicine to help you relax and feel sleepy.You may receive general anesthesia. You will be asleep and unable to feel pain.You lay face down on a table. The health care provider cleans the area of your back and applies medicine to numb the area.The doctor places a large needle through the skin and into the spine bone. Real-time x-ray images are used to guide the doctor to the correct area in your lower back.Cement is then injected into the space to make sure it does not collapse again.This procedure is similar to kyphoplasty, but it does not use a balloon to restore the spinal bone's height.IndicationsA common cause of compression fractures of the spine is thinning of your bones, or osteoporosis. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you have severe and disabling pain for 2 months or more that does not get better with bed rest, pain medicines, and physical therapy.Your doctor may also recommend this procedure if you have a painful compression fractures of the spine due toCancer, including multiple myelomaInjury that caused broken bones in the spineRisksKyphoplasty is generally safe. Complications may include:BleedingInfectionAllergic reactions to medicinesBreathing or heart problems if you have general anesthesiaLeakage of the bone cement into surrounding area (this can cause pain if it affects the spine or nerves) - this problem is more common with this procedure than kyphoplastyExpectations after surgeryYou will probably go home on the same day of surgery. You should not drive, unless your doctor says it is OK.After the procedure:You should be able to walk. However, it's best to stay in bed for the first 24 hours, expect to use the bathroom.After 24 hours, slowly return to your regular activities.Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for at least 6 weeks.Apply ice to the wound area if you have pain where the needle was inserted.Before You Have the ProcedureAlways tell your doctor or nurse:If you could be pregnantWhat drugs you are taking, those you bought without a prescriptionIf you have been drinking a lot of alcoholDuring the days before the surgery:You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, coumadin (warfarin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot several days before.Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of the surgery.If you smoke, try to stop.On the day of the surgery:You will usually be told not to drink or eat a anything for several hours before the test.Take your drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive.ConvalescencePatients who have this procedure usually have less pain and a better quality of life after the surgery.They usually need fewer pain medicines, and can move better than before.ReferencesEsses SI, McGuire R, Jenkins J, et al. The treatment of symptomatic osteoporotic spinal compression fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011 Mar;19(3):176-82.Anselmetti GC, Muto M, Guglielmi G, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. Radiol Clin North Am. 2010 May;48(3):641-9.Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/01/2011David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
DefinitionCompression fractures of the back are broken vertebrae, which are the bones of the spine.Alternative NamesVertebral compression fracturesCauses, incidence, and risk factorsIn a compression fracture of the vertebra, the vertebral bone collapses. More than one vertebra may be affected. This condition may be caused by:Osteoporosis(the most common cause), which is caused by weakening of the bone due to the loss of calcium and other factors.Trauma to the backTumors that started in the bone or spread to the bone from elsewhereWhen the fracture occurs as a result of osteoporosis, the vertebrae in the chest (thoracic) or the lower back are usually affected. During the early stages, a break in the bone can get worse without any symptoms. Pain or other symptoms may be worse with walking, and are often not present when resting.Multiple fractures may lead to kyphosis, a hump-like curvature of the spine (like the Hunchback of Notre Dame).SymptomsCompression fractures may cause no symptoms and only be discovered when x-rays of the spine are done for other reasons. Over time, the following symptoms may occur:Back pain with chronic or gradual onsetLoss of height, as much as 6 inches over timeStooped over posture or kyphosis, also called a "dowager's hump"Compression fractures may also occur suddenly, causing severe back pain that is:Most commonly felt in mid to lower part of the spine, but may also be felt on the sides or in the front.Described as "knifelike" and usually disabling, often taking weeks to months to go awayPressure on the spinal cord from kyphosis may rarely produce symptoms of:NumbnessTinglingWeaknessDifficulty walkingLoss of control of the bowel or bladderSigns and testsPhysical examination may show hunchback (kyphosis). There is also tenderness over the injured vertebrae.A spine x-rayshows at least one compressed vertebra that is shorter than the other vertebrae.Other tests that may be done:A bone density test to evaluate for osteoporosisA CT or MRI scan if there is concern that the fracture was caused by a tumor, or if the fracture was caused by high-energy trauma (such as a fall from a height or car accident)TreatmentMost compression fractures are found in elderly patients with osteoporosis. These fractures generally do not cause injury to the spinal cord. In these patients, the osteoporosis is treated with prescription medications and calcium supplements.Otherwise, the pain from these fractures is treated with pain medicines and bed rest at first. Narcotics are often needed. Some health care providers recommend back braces, but these may further weaken the bones and increase your risk of developing more fractures in the future.Patients may benefit from some physical therapy to help with movement and building up muscle strength around the spine.Surgery is rarely considered. However, if 2 months or more of bed rest, pain medicines, and physical therapy cannot relieve the back pain, surgery can be option. Two minimally invasive techniques are available:Balloon kyphoplasty: A large needle is inserted into the compressed vertebra. A balloon is inserted into the bone through the needle and inflated, restoring the height of the vertebra. Cement is injected into this space to make sure it does not collapse again. This procedure is generally done under general anesthesia.Vertebroplasty: This is a similar procedure in which cement is injected into the bone of the vertebra. This procedure is done under local anesthesia and sedation.If the fracture is caused by a tumor, a piece of the bone may need to be surgically removed and examined under a microscope (biopsy). Then the tumor is treated.Fractures from trauma often require a brace for 6 - 10 weeks to protect the bone as it heals. If there is bone in the spinal canal, you may need surgery to remove the bone and fuse the vertebrae together to stabilize the spine.Surgery is almost always necessary if there is any loss of function because of bone pressing on the spinal cord or spinal nerves.Expectations (prognosis)Most compression fractures from trauma will heal in 8 - 10 weeks with rest, bracing, and pain medications. Recovery time will be many weeks longer if surgery is necessary.Fractures due to osteoprosis usually become less painful with rest and pain medications, but some can cause chronic pain and disability.While medications to treat osteoporosis can help prevent future fractures, the collapse of the vertebrae that has already occurred cannot be reversed.For compression fractures caused by tumors, the outcome depends on the type of tumor involved. Some common tumors that involve the spine include:Breast cancerLung cancerLymphomaProstate cancerComplicationsFailure of the bones to fuse (if surgery is necessary)Hunchback (kyphosis)Spinal cord or nerve root compressionCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have back pain and suspect you may have a compression fracture.PreventionTreating and preventing osteoporosis is the most effective way to prevent these fractures.ReferencesWardlaw D, Cummings SR, Van Meirhaeghe J, et al. Efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty compared with non-surgical care for vertebral compression fracture (FREE): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2009;373(9668):1016-24.Freedman BA, Potter BK, Nesti LJ, Giuliani JR, Hampton C, Kuklo TR. Osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures-continued missed opportunities. Spine J. 2008;8:756-762.Kim DH, Vaccaro AR. Osteoporotic compression fractures of the spine; current options and considerations for treatment. Spine J. 2006 Sep-Oct;6(5):479-87.