Overview

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive spinal procedure used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures, which are most often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or certain tumours. When a vertebra breaks, it can cause severe back pain, shorten you, and change the shape of your spine. Kyphoplasty stabilises the broken bone and may help restore some of the height that was lost in the vertebrae. The procedure entails placing a small balloon into the collapsed vertebra, inflating it to create space, and then filling the cavity with medical-grade bone cement. Fluoroscopy and other imaging techniques ensure the placement is correct.

Why It's Done
Kyphoplasty is done when vertebral compression fractures cause pain that doesn't go away with rest, bracing, or medications. These fractures can make it hard to do everyday things and make life less enjoyable. The procedure stabilises the broken bone, eases pain, and may correct a crooked spine. It is especially beneficial for elderly patients with osteoporosis or individuals with fractures related to certain cancers.

What to Expect
Before kyphoplasty, imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans are performed to confirm the fracture's location and severity. A medical exam and blood tests are performed to assess a person's overall health. Most of the time, the procedure is done with either local anaesthesia and sedation or general anaesthesia. The patient lies on their stomach during the surgery. A small cut is made, and a needle is guided into the broken vertebra using real-time imaging. A small balloon is inserted through the needle and gently inflated to create space and possibly restore the vertebrae to their original height. After that, the balloon is removed, and bone cement is placed in the space. The cement sets quickly, which makes the bone stronger. After the procedure, the cut is bandaged, and patients are watched for a short time before being sent home, usually the same day.

Recovery & Outlook
Most patients feel a lot less pain within a few days, and recovery is usually quick. There may be mild pain at the insertion site for a short time. Patients are advised to progressively return to regular activities while initially refraining from heavy lifting. Kyphoplasty enhances mobility, alleviates pain, and improves overall quality of life in meticulously chosen patients.