Balloon Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty, or Balloon Kyphoplasty, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure – that does not require surgical incision – commonly used for compression fractures in the spine caused by weakened bones. This spinal procedure stabilizes the compression fracture.

When is Kyphoplasty recommended?

The most common causes of a vertebral compression fracture are trauma such as a fall, motor vehicle accident, or bone diseases such as osteoporosis and certain types of cancer. Severe pain associated with a vertebral compression fracture is normal. However, sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Compression fractures can also result in a progressive spinal deformity. For example, when multiple compression fractures occur, it causes Kyphosis or dowager’s hump.

There are main goals of a kyphoplasty procedure, such as:

• Alleviate or reduce pain
• Stabilize the fracture
• Restore the vertebral body height
• Improve spine mobility
• Rectify deformity of the spine

At Spine & Orthopedic Center, Kyphoplasty surgery is one of the most common procedures performed by our spine surgeons. Patients come from all over the world to our 4 locations in Broward and Palm Beach. Feel free to fill out our Online Appointment Request Form or call us at 1-888-409-8006

Kyphoplasty Surgical Procedure

A surgeon performs the surgery under sterile conditions in the operating room. The patient will be under general or local anesthesia and lying prone on the operating table. Then, the surgeon in charge of the Kyphoplasty or Balloon Kyphoplasty procedure will make small incisions on either side of your back. Through these incisions, a narrow tube is introduced to the fractured vertebra under X-ray imaging or Fluoroscopic guidance to allow accurate insertion.

Through the tube, a special balloon and a bone to tamp is then placed into the vertebra. Once the balloon is in place, it is gently inflated to re-establish the pre-fracture vertebral body height. The surgeon begins removing the balloon. Next, he/she fills the space with orthopedic cement, call polymethylmethacrylate )PMMA). The cement will begin hardening in a few minutes, stabilizing the bone. This procedure restores the average height of the vertebrae and minimizes the deformity. Now that surgery is complete, the surgeon closes the incisions. The entire Kyphoplasty surgery takes about an hour for each vertebra.

Post-operative care

Discharging patients the same or the next day is common. In fact, you can walk as soon as you are awake. However, you should have a companion to drive you home. Make sure to keep the incision clean and dry. Furthermore, it’s important to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities that can increase the propensity of a fracture in osteoporotic patients. Closely adhere to the post-operative instructions you receive at the time of discharge. In case of any complications or medical emergency, contact your doctor immediately. Patients are likely to experience immediate pain relief after the Kyphoplasty surgery.

Kyphoplasty Benefits

There are many benefits to kyphoplasty, such as:

• It is a minimally invasive procedure with smaller incisions and also a faster recovery
• Provides immediate pain relief
• Reduced hospital stay
• Patients can resume their normal daily activities faster
• Prevents future spinal fractures
• Spinal bracing is not necessary
• Prevents the onset or worsening of severe spinal deformity

Kyphoplasty Risks and Complications

Although Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, there may be certain potential risks and complications. Kyphoplasty surgery, as with any complicated surgery may come with complications, such as:

• bleeding
• infection
• bone cement leakage
• damage to the spinal cord or spinal nerves
• increased back pain
• numbness and tingling

If you are experiencing any complications, then call your doctor immediately.