What is kyphoplasty?

Balloon-assisted kyphoplasty may alleviate pain caused by compression fractures and can stabilize the fracture.

How is kyphoplasty performed?

1. A needle is inserted through the skin and into the crushed or fractured vertebral body.
2. A balloon, called a bone tamp, is inserted into the vertebral body.
3. The balloon is inflated until it expands to create a cavity for the bone cement and to help expand the compressed bone. The doctor inflates the balloon with contrast medium so it can be seen using image guidance x-ray.
4. The balloon does not stay in the patient. After balloon removal, acrylic bone cement is slowly injected into the bone. The doctor may also choose to use an additional curved needle if more precise, targeted cement placement is desired.
5. The cement hardens and stablizes the fractured or collapsed vertebral body.

What should you expect?

• Typically performed in a hospital or outpatient setting.
• Local anesthesia is given to prevent pain during the procedure.
• Light IV sedation is given to increase comfort and help the patient lie very still during the procedure.
• Some patients require general anesthesia.
• Following the procedure, patients are usually monitored for one to two hours or until their doctor determines it is safe for them to get up, move around and be discharged.
• Some patients are kept overnight for observation following the procedure.