Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to eliminate pain associated with the fracture. The procedure also solidifies the bone and restores some of the height lost as a result of the fracture.
For women suffering from osteoporosis, painful spinal bone fractures are an all-too-familiar fact of life.
- The surgeon will make a small incision in your back.
- A small tube or needle is inserted into the incision and guided to the specific location of the spinal fracture. X-ray images provide a roadmap for the surgeon to place a tiny balloon through the tube into the spine.
- The balloon is carefully inflated, lifting the fracture and placing the pieces of bone in a more normal position. The inflated balloon is removed, leaving a small space that is filled by a special cement-like material that hardens quickly.
- Surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis and patients typically go home the same day.
The good news is that most women who undergo kyphoplasty report almost immediate relief from their pain. Discuss this procedure with your physician to see if this might be a solution for your condition.