Kyphoplasty - A Minimally Invasive Approach to the Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Catheter

Catheter close-up

Catheter - Once the catheter is in proper position, a balloon is inflated within the vertebral body to reestablish the proper bone height.

Summary

Overview

Kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure offered for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures of the spine. These fractures result from a variety of causes, of which, osteoporosis is the most common. Vertebral fractures also result from primary processes, such as, a trivial fall or other traumatic events, as well as, from secondary conditions like multiple myeloma or after radiation therapy for a cancer treatment. The goals of this procedure include pain relief, providing spinal stability, correction of spinal deformity, and improving an individual’s quality of life through restoration of patient function. This is accomplished by placing a catheter-like device into the broken vertebral body under radiographic visualization.

Once the catheter is in proper position, a balloon is inflated within the vertebral body to reestablish the proper bone height. In doing so, a simultaneous attempt to correct the altered spinal alignment is made. Maintenance of this corrected vertebral height and alignment is achieved through placement of a type of bone filler, such as, methylmethacrylate cement (bone cement). Once performed, the fractured vertebral bone(s) have improved stability often eliminating the need for traditional methods of treatment like wearing a brace. Many patients, as a result, are typically able to return to normal daily activities much sooner, have a decreased need for pain medications, a shorter hospital stay, and improved quality of life.

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