The Benefits of Kyphoplasty

When compression fractures cause painful back pain, kyphoplasty can drastically help reduce, and sometimes eliminate, pain altogether. 

What Happens During a Kyphoplasty? 

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure: a surgeon makes a small puncture through the skin with a tracer, or hollow needle, and into the affected bone within the spine. Once in position, the surgeon places a balloon-like device into the vertebra. This device helps the vertebra regain height, and it opens up space for the surgeon to insert the bone cement. Once in place, the bone cement prevents the bone from further collapsing.

Are You a Good Candidate for Kyphoplasty?

There are many benefits of a kyphoplasty procedure, but it is always important to speak with your medical provider about the options for your specific case. Kyphoplasty procedures are only recommended when severe pain is directly related to a vertebral compression fracture.

The Benefits of Kyphoplasty

If you qualify as a candidate, there are numerous benefits of undergoing a kyphoplasty procedure.

Procedure Benefits

• A painless procedure: patients will receive moderate sedation or anesthesia, and the pain during the procedure is very minimal 
• Minimally invasive: the surgeon makes a small puncture through the skin, as opposed to an incision or cut
• Short procedure: most kyphoplasty procedures last about one hour

Post-Procedure Benefits

• Reduced pain: patients experience a significant and sustained reduction in back pain, and in some cases, the elimination of pain altogether
• Improved mobility: most patients can complete daily activities and tasks with ease
• Improved posture: kyphoplasty helps to restore and stabilize bone structure, preventing kyphosis (hunched-over position)
• No physical therapy or rehabilitation post-procedure: Patients can return to their normal daily activities soon after the procedure 

Life After Kyphoplasty

With a 92% success rate, most patients report reduced or eliminated pain as quickly as 48 hours post kyphoplasty. Pain from the procedure is somewhat common, but the pain should subside by day three post-kyphoplasty. 

Your healthcare provider will guide you on when it is safe to return to your everyday activities. Most patients can return to their daily activities as soon as the anesthesia wears off. Healthcare providers will recommend that patients avoid any strenuous activity or exercise for several weeks following kyphoplasty.

What are the Risks of Kyphoplasty?

As with all surgical procedures there are risks related to kyphoplasties. Though rare, some complications include:

• Infections or bleeding
• Increased pain
• Numbing or tingling 
• Nerve damage
• Additional fractures, most common when the patient has osteoporosis 
• Cement migration to other parts of the body, which may lead to pulmonary embolism or spinal stenosis

A healthcare provider will guide patients through their recovery to avoid risk and injury. 

Manage Your Pain with Our Help

Kyphoplasty is a very low-risk procedure and yields highly positive results. Side effects are possible, but the risk is usually low. If you are considering a kyphoplasty, reach out to the Pain Institute of Middle Tennessee for additional information. Make an appointment with our team of pain specialists. Our team can help with any questions or concerns you may have.