Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive spinal surgery procedure. It is used to treat painful progressive vertebral body collapse/fracture (VCFs). The VCFs may be caused by osteoporosis or the spread of tumor to the vertebral body.

The kyphoplasty procedure involves the use of a balloon to restore the vertebral body height and shape. This is followed by bone cement to strengthen it. The procedure may be performed under intravenous sedation. The patient may need local anesthetic or general anesthetic. The patient lies face-down on the operating room table. Two X-ray machines are used to show the collapsed bones.

Kyphoplasty is not appropriate for:

Patients with young, healthy bones or those who sustained a vertebral body fracture or collapse in a major accident

Patients with spinal curvature such as scoliosis or kyphosis that is due to causes other than osteoporosis

Patients who suffer from spinal stenosis or herniated discs with nerve or spinal cord compression and loss of neurological function not associated with a vertebral compression fracture.

Riverhills' Physicians skilled in these procedure:
Dale S. Horne, MD, PhD, Neurosurgeon