What Is Balloon Kyphoplasty?
Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, commonly referred to as balloon vertebroplasty. The goal of this procedure is to repair vertebral compression. These fractures are most commonly found in elderly patients, as they are the most likely to develop osteoporosis, or the thinning of the bones, including the spine. After the first initial fracture the elderly or more susceptible to the collapse of their vertebra, which is why it is important to treat fractures on time.
What Does Balloon Kyphoplasty Treat?
Balloon kyphoplasty is used for treating vertebral compression fractures. Vertebral compression fractures have a number of causes including osteoporosis, physical trauma such as car accidents, falls, and high-impact sports. Patients with vertebral compression fractures often experience intense sudden onset back pain, and most commonly have pain while standing or walking.
How Does the Balloon Kyphoplasty Procedure Work?
A patient will lay on their stomach and receive general anesthesia to prevent them from feeling pain and discomfort. A tiny camera is used to guide a needle into the fractured vertebrae. A medical balloon is inserted through the needle and inflated to expand the cavity in the area.
Next, a physician injects bone cement to fill the cavity, and this creates stability in the vertebrae. The needle is removed and the incision is closed.
Patients will stay in the recovery room to be monitored after the procedure, and another person will be required to drive them home. There may be some initial discomfort, but patients can return to their normal routine within 24 hours. Any activities that put strain on the spine should be avoided for up to 6 weeks after the procedure.
What Are the Risks?
A balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure which has a substantially lower risk of complication , compared to open surgery; however, all procedures have risks, including but not limited to potential infections, or complications with anesthesia. One specific risk that could occur during a balloon kyphoplasty is leakage of bone cement.
Benefits of Balloon Kyphoplasty
By creating this support in the vertebrae, most patients can return to the things they love again, without constantly worrying about pain interfering with their lives. Many patients report needing little to no rehabilitation after the procedure.
Two manufacturers offer Balloon Kyphoplasty procedures:
For more information on Balloon Kyphoplasty offered by Stryker, visit their website at https://strykerivs.com/procedures/vertebral-augmentation.
For more information on Balloon Kyphoplasty offered by Medtronic, visit their website at https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/balloon-kyphoplasty.html.