Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty

There are twice as many vertebral compression fractures in the United States than hip fractures.   Typically, osteoporosis causes weakening of the bones leaving patients susceptible to fractures.  Once susceptible, a fall/trauma or even simple things like lifting your grandchild can lead to a fracture. 

Kyphoplasty is one of the techniques used to treat vertebral compression fractures.  For instance, when someone fractures his/her arm, a cast is placed to immobilize the arm and stabilize the fracture giving your body time to heal the fracture.  If the arm is not casted, and they continue to move and use that arm, they may have delayed healing or can lead to other complications.  Similarly, Kyphoplasty is used to insert a balloon into the fractured vertebra, the balloon is inflated to restore height from the collapsed vertebra, and then a cement is administered to stabilize the fracture.   The procedure is typically performed with moderate sedation and local anesthetic.  At Zona Spine and Pain, we specialize in this procedure and perform Kyphoplasty as an in-office procedure.