Balloon Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty, also know as balloon kyphoplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat a painful vertebral compression fracture by restoring the height and strength of the fractured vertebra and providing, in most cases, immediate back pain reduction or elimination.
A vertebral compression fracture is basically a fracture in the body of a vertebra, which causes it to collapse. As a result, the spinal column above it develops an abnormal forward curvature. When there are multiple compression fractures, it causes Kyphosis, an exaggeration of the spine normal curvature. The most common causes of compression fractures are trauma, tumors, osteoporosis or degenerative bone conditions or diseases such as arthritis.
Kyphoplasty Procedure
The Balloon Kyphoplasty surgery is performed under sterile conditions in the with the patient under general or local anesthesia lying on his/her stomach. The surgeon will make two small incisions on both sides of the back. Through these incisions, the surgeon inserts a narrow tube to the fractured vertebra under X-ray imaging or Fluoroscopy guidance for accuracy.
Through the tube, a special balloon called bone tamp is inserted into the vertebra (hence the name “balloon kyphoplasty”) and then, inflated to re-establish the vertebral body to its proper height. Next, the balloon is removed and the space left is filled with a special cement (polymethylmethacrylate). Once the cement hardens, usually in a few minutes, it stabilizes the bone.
Our Spine Surgeons have been performing procedures for balloon kyphoplasty in Boca Raton for years. For a preferred specialist in Boca Raton, call 561-549-9090.