If you have been diagnosed with a spinal fracture/vertebral compression fracture (VCF) caused by osteoporosis, cancer or benign tumors, balloon kyphoplasty may be a treatment option.
Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive, orthopedic procedure for stabilizing spinal fractures. Undergoing the procedure may reduce back pain, correct angular vertebral deformity, and restore vertebral body height.
Why is a balloon kyphoplasty performed?
The National Osteoporosis Foundation cites osteoporosis as a major public health threat affecting 44 million Americans, or 55% of people aged 50 and older. Osteoporosis causes 1.5 million fractures annually, with more than 700,000 of these fractures occurring in the spine.
Spinal fractures can also be caused by cancer, the most common being multiple myeloma, breast, lung and prostate. According to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 55-70% of multiple myeloma patients already have VCFs at the time of diagnosis. About 15-30% develop new VCFs annually.
Balloon Kyphoplasty typically takes about one hour per fracture treated. It can be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis and under local or general anesthesia (both determinations are based on medical necessity). You and your physician will discuss which options are appropriate for you.
A 1 cm incision is made. Using a needle and cannula (tube), the spine specialist creates a small pathway into the fractured bone. A small, orthopedic balloon is guided through the tube into the vertebra. The procedure is done on both sides of the vertebral body.
Next, the balloons are carefully inflated in an attempt to raise the collapsed vertebrae and return them to their pre-fracture positions.
In an attempt to create a cavity, the balloons are inflated in the vertebral body. Once the vertebral body is in the correct position, the balloon is deflated and removed.
The cavity is filled with bone cement.
The bone cement forms an “internal cast” to support the surrounding bone and prevent further collapse.
The procedure may require an overnight hospital stay. Your physician will discuss with you which options are appropriate for you based on your overall condition.
After the procedure, you will likely be transferred to the recovery room for about an hour of observation. While in the hospital, you may be encouraged to walk and move about.
Your surgeon will have a specific post-operative recovery/exercise plan to help you return to your normal daily life as soon as possible. Patients usually report relief from pain and are able to walk and move about soon after the procedure. Your doctor will schedule a follow-up visit and explain limitations, if any, on your activity. Following a balloon kyphoplasty, you may notice a rapid improvement of some or all of your symptoms, including pain; other symptoms may improve more gradually.
Work closely with your physician to determine the appropriate recovery protocol for you, and follow his or her instructions closely to optimize the healing process.
To determine whether you are a candidate for this procedure, please talk to your doctor.
Every surgical procedure comes with risks. To learn about these risks and how to minimize them, talk to your spinal specialist.
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