WHAT IS VERTEBROPLASTY AND KYPHOPLASTY?
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty are procedures typically recommended only for patients who have suffered damage to their vertebra, usually from a compression fracture. Both minimally invasive methods treat spinal compression fractures often caused by osteoporosis and injury. Physicians may choose to use imaging guidance to inject a cement mixture into the fractured bone (vertebroplasty) or insert a balloon into the fractured bone to create a space and then fill it with cement (kyphoplasty). For pain sufferers the sooner the fracture is repaired, the better the results.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT VERTEBROPLASTY AND KYPHOPLASTY:
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Treatment within eight weeks of the acute fracture has the highest probability of success
- Both procedures use cement to repair damaged vertebrae
- Along with pain relief, these procedures improve the integrity of the spine and posture
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED BY VERTEBROPLASTY AND KYPHOPLASTY:
- Osteoporosis
- Metastatic tumor
- Spinal infection
- Trauma to the spine
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR VERTEBROPLASTY AND KYPHOPLASTY?
If you have symptoms that have not improved with physical therapy or other forms of conservative care and positive diagnostic results, you may be a candidate for this procedure.