Kyphoplasty for Compression Fractures

If you are dealing with a compression fracture, your surgeon may recommend a kyphoplasty procedure. Compression fractures occur when a spinal vertebra breaks and then collapses. Kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive spine surgery, can prevent kyphosis, a permanent “hunchback” curve in the spine. Learn more about the benefits of kyphoplasty and how it can repair your spine at the Hoag Orthopedic Institute.

What is Kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat compression fractures of the spine. These fractures, also known as vertebral compression fractures (VCF), are typically caused by the natural effects of aging and osteoporosis.

When a VCF causes the vertebra to collapse, it can lead to the development of an abnormal forward curve, resulting in a loss in height, poor posture, and severe back pain. Treatment to fix vertebral compression fractures soon after they happen is essential to restoring vertebral body height and size and avoiding risks of serious complications or additional fractures.

The Kyphoplasty Procedure: What to Expect

As opposed to traditional open surgery, kyphoplasty surgery is performed through a very small incision, or multiple small incisions, in the back. A thin tube is then inserted through the incision, and fluoroscopy, or live imaging, is used to guide the tube into the damaged vertebra.

During the kyphoplasty procedure, a medical-grade balloon is used to inflate and reposition the vertebra into a more normal shape. The balloon also compacts the soft inner portion of bone in the vertebra and creates a cavity. When the balloon is deflated and removed, cement can be put in its place to fix the vertebral body and allow it to maintain a normal shape. The cement will harden, the tube will be removed, and the incisions closed. Kyphoplasty surgery takes about an hour per fracture-level that needs treatment.

Kyphoplasty Surgery Recovery and Rehabilitation

Kyphoplasty surgery is an outpatient procedure. Following kyphoplasty surgery, patients can expect to return to normal activities at the recommendation of their surgeon’s specific instructions, usually after six weeks. Most patients do not require any form of rehabilitation or physical therapy after kyphoplasty.

Why Choose Hoag Orthopedic Institute For Kyphoplasty

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our spine surgeons are Board-Certified experts who specialize in using advanced surgical techniques to help patients find relief from back pain, restore mobility, and effectively handle the demands of daily life. As a minimally invasive spine surgery, kyphoplasty should be performed by surgeons who have experience and who have performed many of these procedures, which is why you should place your trust in the spine specialists at Hoag Orthopedic Institute.

The quality of care and impressive nurse-to-patient ratio at Hoag Orthopedic Institute are among the many reasons top spine surgeons and orthopedic specialists have aligned with our state-of-the-art hospital and surgery centers throughout Southern California, making us the highest-volume provider of spine care in Orange County. Through their expertise and our entire team’s commitment to comprehensive care, we have been able to successfully help over 2,500 patients a year treat their back pain and improve their overall health.

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