KYPHOPLASTY & VERTEBROPLASTY

Minimally invasive solutions for vertebral body compression fractures.

If you or someone you know suffers from painful vertebral body compression fractures, VIE’s state-of-the-art kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty procedures offer effective, non-surgical treatment options. Our outpatient treatments provide rapid pain relief and improved mobility, helping you return to normal activities as quickly as possible.

Definition

What is kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty?

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are similar treatments for vertebral body compression fractures, which are small breaks in the thick mass of bone that make up the front part of your spinal column (the vertebral body).

Risk Factors

Causes of vertebral body fractures:

Osteoporosis (thinning of bones)
Pathologic fractures related to tumors growing in the vertebral body

Symptoms

Symptoms of vertebral compression fractures:

Collapse or compression of a vertebra
Shortened and curved spine (kyphotic or hunched-over deformity)
Pain

Compression fractures are visible on regular X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. An MRI scan is almost always performed before proceeding with kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty.

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are generally reserved for people with painful, progressive back pain caused by osteoporotic or pathological vertebral compression fractures, leading to reduced mobility and function.

To be a candidate, your pain must be related to the vertebral fracture and not due to other issues like disk herniation, arthritis, or stenosis. Imaging tests will confirm the presence of a vertebral fracture.

Treatment and Benefits

How do the procedures work?

During kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty, you’ll lie on your stomach under mild sedation and local anesthesia while the physician inserts a hollow needle (trocar) through your skin and into the vertebra, guided by fluoroscopy (a type of x-ray) for proper positioning.

In vertebroplasty, cement is inserted into the vertebra through the trocar. In kyphoplasty, an inflatable balloon-like device is inserted and inflated to restore the shape and height of the vertebra before being filled with bone cement.

Benefits of kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty

85-90% overall success rate in treating osteoporotic fractures
90% of patients experience rapid, complete, or near-complete pain relief after vertebroplasty
Over 75% of patients regain activity
Potential to be symptom-free without the need for physical therapy or rehabilitation
Kyphoplasty reduces mortality by one year compared to non-surgical management
Kyphoplasty is cost-effective compared to non-surgical management

Potential side effects:

Slight chance of infection, bleeding, increased back pain, numbness, or tingling
Risk of developing additional fractures to other vertebral bodies in patients with osteoporosis
Soreness at the trocar insertion site, resolving within a couple of days (ice can help)

What to Expect

Most patients experience pain relief and improved mobility within 48 hours, with some feeling immediate relief, ad a return to normal activities after the procedure, avoiding strenuous activities like heavy lifting for at least six weeks. The bandage remains on for two days and showers instead of baths are recommended. Also, follow any additional instructions from your healthcare provider.

REFERENCES

Klazen, C. A., Lohle, P. N., de Vries, J., Jansen, F. H., Tielbeek, A. V., Blonk, M. C., … & Mali, W. P. (2010). Vertebroplasty versus conservative treatment in acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (Vertos II): an open-label randomised trial. The Lancet, 376(9746), 1085-1092. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60954-3
Wardlaw, D., Cummings, S. R., Van Meirhaeghe, J., Bastian, L., Tillman, J. B., Ranstam, J., … & Boonen, S. (2009). Efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty compared with non-surgical care for vertebral compression fracture (FREE): a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 373(9668), 1016-1024. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60010-6
Korovessis, P., Vardakastanis, K., Repantis, T., & Vitsas, V. (2014). Balloon kyphoplasty versus KIVA vertebral augmentation—comparison of 2 techniques for osteoporotic vertebral body fractures: a prospective randomized study. Spine, 39(4), 292-299. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000000103