Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures to treat painful spine fractures caused by weak or broken spinal vertebrae (often from osteoporosis or cancer). These are commonly called compression or burst fractures and occur in the load-bearing part of the spinal vertebrae. Normally, when a bone is broken, doctors put a cast on to keep the bone from moving (causing pain) and to set properly (improve healing time). In the spine, this is not possible, but we are able to inject cement in the bone to achieve the same effect.

During the procedure, an interventional radiologist advances needles through the back muscles and into the broken bone under Xray guidance. They then gently lift the collapsed part of the vertebra with a tiny balloon and then fills the space created with a special medical cement to stabilize the bone and restore some height. It usually takes less than an hour, uses local or light general anesthesia, and most patients go home the same day.

Kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty is for:

• People with painful vertebral compression fractures that have not improved after a few weeks of conservative care (rest, pain meds, bracing, physical therapy)
• Patients whose fractures cause significant pain that limits daily activities or breathing
• Those fractures that have occurred within the last 6-9 months. Old fractures (> 1 year old) typically do not respond to kyphoplasty as they have already healed and are set in place.