Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty

Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty are procedures performed to reduce pain associated with fractured bones in the spine. These procedures are two different methods to correct and stabilize fractures that occur when spinal bones, called vertebral bodies, become weak due to osteoporosis. The fractures that occur are called “compression fractures.

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally-invasive and can be performed with sedation. One or two cannulas are inserted into the vertebral body. Drills and curettes create cavities within the bone, and for kyphoplasties, one or two inflatable balloons are filled with contrast material under continuous fluoroscopy to visualize expansion of the compressed bone. The balloons are then removed. For both procedures, medical-grade cement is placed under continuous fluoroscopy to ensure that the cement does not leak out of the bone. The vertebral body should have improved structure and stability, and the patient should have less pain.