Kyphoplasty - A Minimally Invasive Approach to the Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures.
Last updated Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Catheter - Once the catheter is in proper position, a balloon is inflated within the vertebral body to reestablish the proper bone height. SummaryOverview 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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