Kyphoplasty

What Causes Vertebral Compression Fractures?

Vertebral compression fractures occur when a vertebra(s) (one of the bones in your spine) collapses or cracks.

Common causes include:

Osteoporosis: This condition weakens bones, making them more prone to fractures, even from minor stress like bending or lifting.
Trauma: A fall, car accident, or other injury can fracture a vertebra.
Cancer: Tumors in or near the spine and or Multiple Myeloma can weaken bones, leading to fractures.

Symptoms often include sudden extreme back pain, difficulty, sitting, standing or walking, and an easily fatigued spine. If you're experiencing these, our team can help determine if a VCF is the cause.

What Is Kyphoplasty and How Does It Help?

Kyphoplasty is a safe, effective procedure designed to treat pain from vertebral compression fractures. It works by:

Stabilizing the Fracture: A special bone cement is injected through a needle into the fractured vertebra to hold it in place under x-ray guidance.

Restoring Height: A small balloon is used to lift the collapsed bone, helping to correct some of the spinal alignment and reduce deformity and ensure good cement fill within the bone.

Relieving Pain: By stabilizing the fracture and reducing pressure on nerves, kyphoplasty can provide rapid pain relief - Often within days

This outpatient procedure is minimally invasive, can be done with minimal sedation, no incisions, less recovery time, and a quicker return to your normal routine compared to traditional surgery. A typical one level fracture is treated within an hour and you are discharged home 30 after the procedure
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What to Expect During the Procedure

Here's a brief overview of how kyphoplasty works:

1. Preparation: You'll receive local anesthetic injection for comfort and be provided with oral or IV sedation.
2. Balloon Insertion: Using X-ray guidance, a small tube is inserted via a needle into the fractured vertebra, and a balloon is carefully inflated to create space and restore height.
3. Cement Injection: The balloon is removed, and medical-grade cement is injected to stabilize the bone under x-ray guidance.
4. Recovery: The procedure typically takes about an hour per vertebra, and patients go home the same day.

Our skilled team at Alpenglow will guide you every step of the way, ensuring your safety and comfort.

Contact Us for Relief

Don't let back pain hold you back. If you suspect a vertebral compression fracture or want to learn if kyphoplasty is right for you, reach out to us today.