Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive spine procedure used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures, most commonly caused by osteoporosis. It is designed to relieve back pain, stabilize the fractured vertebra, and restore lost vertebral height.

Compression fractures most frequently occur in the thoracic spine but may also affect the lumbar spine. These fractures can lead to severe pain, reduced mobility, and progressive spinal deformity.

What Is Kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that repairs a fractured vertebra using a balloon and bone cement (PMMA – polymethylmethacrylate).

The goals of kyphoplasty are to:

  1. Reduce pain from vertebral compression fractures
  2. Stabilize the weakened vertebra
  3. Restore vertebral body height
  4. Improve spinal alignment
  5. Enhance mobility and function

By reinforcing the fractured vertebra internally, kyphoplasty can significantly decrease pain and prevent further collapse.

Conditions Treated

Kyphoplasty is indicated for vertebral compression fractures caused by:

  1. Osteoporosis
  2. Multiple myeloma
  3. Metastatic cancer to the spine
  4. Vertebral angioma with severe pain and no neurological symptoms

It may also be used to help correct kyphotic deformity associated with spinal compression fractures and secondary postural kyphosis.

Symptoms of Upper Cervical Joint Dysfunction

Patients with vertebral compression fractures may experience:

  1. Sudden onset back pain
  2. Pain worsened by standing or walking
  3. Limited spinal mobility
  4. Height loss
  5. Forward curvature of the spine (kyphosis)

Persistent pain despite conservative management may indicate the need for interventional treatment.

Table of Contents

How the Procedure Is Performed

Kyphoplasty is performed under imaging guidance in an operating or procedure suite.

The procedure includes:

  1. The patient lies face down on the operating table.
  2. A small incision (approximately half an inch) is made over the fractured vertebra.
  3. A narrow tube is inserted into the vertebral body under X-ray guidance.
  4. A balloon tamp is advanced through the tube and inflated to create a cavity and restore vertebral height.
  5. The balloon is deflated and removed.
  6. Bone cement (PMMA) is injected into the newly created cavity.
  7. The cement hardens quickly, stabilizing the fracture internally.

Most kyphoplasty procedures are completed in less than one hour, and many patients return home the same day.

Benefits of Kyphoplasty

  • Rapid reduction of back pain
  • Stabilization of fractured vertebra
  • Restoration of vertebral height
  • Improvement in posture
  • Minimally invasive approach
  • Same-day discharge in most cases

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does pain relief last?

Relief duration varies. Diagnostic injections provide temporary relief, while corticosteroid injections may provide weeks to months of reduced inflammation and pain.

Most patients tolerate the procedure well. A local anesthetic is used to minimize discomfort.

The injection typically takes 20–30 minutes and is performed in an outpatient setting.

Most patients resume light activities within 24 hours unless otherwise instructed.

Begin your journey to recovery.

Reach out to our specialists to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll carefully review your symptoms and match you with the right expert for your specific condition.

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Jersey City, NJ 07310

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infor@urbanspinejoint.com

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