Kyphoplasty

The spine is one of, if not, the most important part of the human body. Your total range of movement depends on the spine’s ability to function correctly. In between the spine runs the spinal cord, nerve roots and intervertebral discs that act as shock absorbers to keep bones from rubbing against each other. In the event of osteoporosis, the vertebrae (bones that make up the spine) become weak and a fracture could occur when performing even a simple action such as climbing stairs. (See Vertebra Fracture). Possible signs of osteoporosis are hunched posture, curve in back, sloping shoulders, back pain and sometimes height loss.

To determine your risk of osteoporosis, your specialist may perform a DXA or Dual Energy X-ray. This test will determine your bone mineral density and compare the result with the average bone mineral density of a target population of your sex and race.

One of the most sought-after treatments of disc fractures is a procedure called Kyphoplasty. Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can alleviate up to 90of the pain caused by compression fractures. Kyphoplasty is not only a pain reliever, it also can be a stabilizer, restoring height and reducing deformity. Kyphoplasty is performed under local or general anesthesia. Using image guidance x-rays, two small incisions are made and a probe is placed into the vertebral space where the fracture is located. The bone is drilled and a balloon, called a bone tamp, is inserted on each side (See Balloon Insert). These balloons are then inflated with contrast medium (to be seen using image guidance x-rays) until they expand to the desired height and removed. The spaces created by the balloons are then filled with a special cement, binding the fracture. The cement hardens quickly, providing strength and stability to the vertebra, restoring height and relieving pain (See StabilizedVertebra).