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Balloon Kyphoplasty

If you have been diagnosed with a spinal fracture caused by osteoporosis, cancer or benign tumors, balloon kyphoplasty is a treatment option you may want to consider. Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can significantly reduce back pain and repair the broken bone of a spinal fracture.

The procedure is called balloon kyphoplasty because balloons are used to lift the fractured bone and return it to the correct position.

Before the procedure, you will have a medical exam and undergo diagnostic studies such as X-rays, to determine the precise location of the fracture. Balloon kyphoplasty is normally done under general aneasthesia, but can sometimes be done under local or general anesthesia.

Balloon kyphoplasty is a short procedure that can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on medical necessity. After the procedure, you will likely be transferred to the Recovery Room for about an hour for observation.
While in the hospital, you will be encouraged to walk and move about. Patients usually report immediate relief from pain and are able to walk and move about during their hospital stay.

Your doctor will probably schedule a follow-up visit and explain limitations, if any, on your activity. Most patients report being satisfied with the procedure and are gradually able to resume activity once discharged from the hospital.

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and serious adverse events can occur. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor.

Benefits

Balloon kyphoplasty can reduce or eliminate your back pain, as well as restore vertebral height and proper alignment of your spine.

Early and effective treatment (fixing the broken bone) may reduce the consequences of spinal fractures, especially those associated with other treatments, e.g., prolonged bedrest or use of analgesics.

Other benefits include:

• Correction of spinal deformity
• Significant and sustained reduction in back pain
• Sustained vertebral body height restoration
• Significant and sustained improvement in quality of life
• Significant and sustained improvement in mobility
• Significant and sustained improvement in ability to perform activities of daily living

Procedure Step by Step

Step 1: Balloon Placement With a hollow instrument, a narrow pathway is made into the fractured bone. A small orthopaedic balloon is guided through the instrument into the vertebral body. The incision site is approximately 1 cm (1/3 inch) in length. Typically, two balloons are used, one on each side of the vertebral body, to better support the bone as it moves back into position and increase the likelihood of deformity correction.
Step 2: Balloon Inflation Next, the balloons are carefully inflated in an attempt to raise the collapsed vertebral body and return it to its normal position.
Step 3: Cavity Creation Inflation of the balloons creates a cavity (space) within the vertebral body that compacts the soft, inner bone against the outer wall. The cavity also functions as a “container” for the bone cement. Once the vertebral body is in the correct position, the balloons are deflated and removed.
Step 4: Cavity Fill The cavity is filled with thick bone cement to stabilize the fracture.
Step 5: Internal Cast The bone cement forms an internal cast that holds the vertebral body in place.

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