K y p h o p l a s t y

Kyphoplasty is a procedure that is a more advanced version of Vertebroplasty.
Its main indication is the treatment of vertebral compression fractures, similar to Vertebroplasty.
A Kyphoplasty procedure, is used to stabilize and augment a vertebral body that has fractured due to osteoporosis. These patients are usually older and suffer from significant pain.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the injection of a special bone stabilizing material into the fractured vertebral body.
The key difference of a Kyphoplasty (compared to a Vertebroplasty procedure) is that during a Kyphoplasty procedure the surgeon will try to place an inflatable balloon within the cavity of the vertebral body in order to restore vertebral height. After (and if) this has been achieved, the balloon is removed and bone cement is injected. The primary objective of the procedure is pain relief. The restoration of the vertebral height is an added benefit.
There are several advantages to this procedure, including: immediate pain relief, stabilization of the vertebral body, and instant mobilization of the patient, a key component in the treatment success in older patients.