Kyphoplasty vs Vertebroplasty: What are the Differences

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are two types of treatments for compression fractures or backbone breaks that can occur anywhere along the spine. It can occur due to injury, diseases, and, most commonly, osteoporosis1.

Treatments such as kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty can decrease pain and promote improved mobility. Although both procedures treat compression fractures, there are some key differences between them.

What Are The Effects Of A Vertebral Compression Fracture?

Spinal compression fractures affect the spine's stability and significantly impact overall well-being. Understanding a compression fracture's physical and emotional effects can help recognize the need for effective and lasting treatment.

A compression fracture can cause pain, height loss, spinal deformity, and limited mobility. These effects can lead to a host of additional issues, including deconditioning, loss of productivity, and depression.

Becoming less physically active due to compression fractures can have a ripple effect. For instance, your bones may become weaker if you are less active.

In some cases, a compression fracture can even make it challenging to live independently.

Treatments For Compression Fractures

Treatment for compression fractures may vary based on the severity of your condition. Conservative treatments that aim to provide pain relief and improve functional status may include bracing, pain medication, and physical therapy.

Treatment may also include managing symptoms of the underlying disease that caused the fractured vertebrae.

Surgical options may depend on the characteristics of the fracture. Certain surgical options are invasive and can take weeks or months to recover from. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are two minimally invasive treatment options for a compression fracture for those who want to avoid surgery.

What Is The Difference Between Kyphoplasty vs Vertebroplasty?

To determine if kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty is right for you, you must first understand the differences between the two procedures. The main difference is the use of a balloon catheter to help restore lost height.

A fractured vertebra can collapse, causing a loss of height. Kyphoplasty can help restore the lost height, whereas vertebroplasty does not.

During a minimally invasive kyphoplasty procedure, the doctor inserts and inflates a balloon. The balloon's inflation creates a cavity, which helps lengthen the spine. The balloon is then removed, leaving the cavity it created in place.

Next, the doctor injects polymethylmethacrylate, which is medical cement, into the cavity via needle insertion. The cement hardens quickly, and back pain subsides relatively fast.

In addition to reduced pain, kyphoplasty provides improved spinal alignment and stability. Increased stability may help reduce the risk of future fractured vertebrae.

Vertebroplasty is also a treatment for compression fractures. However, it does not involve inserting the balloon before injecting cement or restoring lost height.

Vertebroplasty also involves the injection of bone cement. However, this bone cement, known as pedicle, is the projection of bone that sticks out from the back of the vertebral body.

What Are The Similarities Between Kyphoplasty Vs Vertebroplasty?

Although there is a critical difference between kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, there are also similarities. Both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty provide the following benefits.

Treatment for painful vertebral compression fractures

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are both options to treat spinal compression fractures and restore stability to the spine. Although other treatments are also available, they may not work in all cases. For instance, conservative treatment may not ease the pain. Additionally, more invasive surgical approaches may require a longer recovery.

Offers a minimally invasive approach

Both procedures are minimally invasive. More invasive procedures typically use large incisions, which increases the risk of complications, such as infection and blood loss.

The doctor uses small skin incisions with kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, and blood loss is usually minimal. Pain is also generally well controlled with over-the-counter or prescribed medication.

Improved spinal stability

As the cement hardens, it provides increased spinal stability, which may reduce the risk of additional fractures and help improve movement and overall functioning.

Provides pain relief

Fractures in the vertebrae can cause severe pain, which can be difficult to manage. For example, some people take opioid pain medications, which can have significant side effects. Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are two alternatives with less risk that can also provide significant pain relief.

Overall, improved quality of life

Painful vertebral compression fractures can affect your ability to work, perform everyday chores, and enjoy life. Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty provide treatment to improve functioning and reduce pain, which promotes better mobility. These positive effects can improve your quality of life.

What Is Recovery Like From Kyphoplasty And Vertebroplasty?

With either procedure, you will be given general anesthesia, which may take a few hours to wear off. During kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, the doctor uses continuous imaging to guide the needle insertion into the fractured vertebra. After the cement is injected, the physician removes the needle and covers the small skin incision with a sterile dressing.

Recovery from kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty may vary based on the severity of the fracture and the patient's overall health. Both procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. If complications do not occur, you will go home the same day to start your recovery.

Before you go home, your doctor will provide restrictions and instructions to promote recovery. Typically, restrictions include no strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting, for several weeks, which allows the vertebrae to heal.

After a vertebral fracture, people may become sedentary and lose muscle strength. To avoid this, doctors may also suggest physical therapy to help improve your strength and range of motion.

The healing process continues for the first several weeks. As the spine becomes more stable, you can add increased activity. Most people can expect to return to their normal activities in about six weeks 2 .

Complications are unlikely, but to make an informed decision, it is essential to understand that any medical procedure has risks. During the recovery, it is vital to recognize complications, such as signs of an infection, increased pain, and blood clots.

Is a Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty the Better Option for You?

If a broken vertebra affects vertebral height and you want to restore lost height, kyphoplasty may be preferable. However, it is best to consult a medical professional to determine which procedure is right for you.

After a physical exam and medical history, the physician will provide more detailed information on which procedure may be more appropriate for your injuries.

Conclusion

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are both minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat broken spinal bones. Both are safe and effective procedures to treat a vertebral fracture, improve spinal stability, and reduce pain. However, only kyphoplasty helps restore lost height due to vertebral collapse.

If you have any questions about vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, we are happy to help. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today!

Sources

1. Whitney E, Alastra AJ. Vertebral Fracture. [Updated 2023 Apr 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547673/
2. Kyphoplasty. (n.d.). Columbia Neurosurgery. https://www.neurosurgery.columbia.edu/patient-care/treatments/kyphoplasty