Kyphoplasty

Vertebral compression fractures are a painful and disabling consequence of trauma to your spine or, most often, the bone condition osteoporosis. If you suffer a vertebral compression fracture, Minimally Invasive Medical Group can help. At offices in Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, and Irvine, California, the orthopedic experts offer minimally invasive kyphoplasty to stabilize the fractured vertebrae and relieve your pain. Call Minimally Invasive Medical Group or use the online booking feature today to learn more about kyphoplasty’s benefits.

What is kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a cutting-edge treatment for vertebral compression fractures in your spine.

Vertebrae are bones that form your spinal column. Sometimes, they can weaken and fracture, resulting in chronic back pain, a hunched posture, and loss of height. This usually occurs when the inside of the vertebra becomes compressed due to trauma or disease.

You might have vertebral compression fractures for several reasons, but the most common cause is osteoporosis. This disease typically develops in later life, most often in postmenopausal women.

Osteoporosis causes the bones throughout your body to lose density, gradually becoming weaker and more brittle. Bodywide fractures are often a common problem for people with osteoporosis, with vertebral compression fractures being a typical sign of the disease as it enters a more advanced stage.

When might I need to consider kyphoplasty?

Medications to manage pain, supplementary calcium and vitamin D, and physical therapies can help with the underlying osteoporosis responsible for many vertebral compression fractures. However, these treatments don’t repair the damage.

The Minimally Invasive Medical Group team may recommend kyphoplasty to restore stability and increase the damaged bone’s height if they determine you have vertebral compression fractures.

How does kyphoplasty work?

Kyphoplasty is similar to vertebroplasty, which involves injecting bone cement into the fractured vertebrae. Vertebroplasty prevents the fracture from worsening and stabilizes your spine, but it doesn’t restore bone height.

With kyphoplasty, your provider inserts a medical balloon into the vertebra and inflates it to gently raise the collapsed part of the bone. Next, your provider deflates and removes the balloon and fills the space with bone cement, which takes about 10 minutes to harden.

What happens when I have kyphoplasty?

Before the kyphoplasty procedure begins, you need a sedative and a local anesthetic (or possibly a general anesthetic). You then lie on your stomach on the treatment table.

Your provider inserts a hollow needle called a trocar through your skin and into the fractured vertebra. They use fluoroscopy — a moving X-ray — to ensure the needle is in exactly the right place.

Kyphoplasty can reduce spinal pain and improve mobility within a couple of days. Some patients feel immediate relief after their vertebral compression fracture treatment.

Call Minimally Invasive Medical Group or schedule a consultation online today to learn more about kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures.