Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat painful compression fractures in the spine. These fractures happen when a vertebra collapses, often because of osteoporosis, injury, or certain cancers that weaken the bone. The main goals of kyphoplasty are to ease severe back pain, support the broken bone, and help restore some of the height lost when the vertebra collapsed.

How Kyphoplasty Works

Unlike open back surgery, kyphoplasty is done through a small incision in the skin. It is guided by x-ray so the doctor can place the tools in the right spot.
  • First, the doctor creates a small path into the fractured vertebra using a thin needle.
  • Next, a special balloon is placed into the bone and gently inflated. This helps lift the collapsed bone and create space inside it.
  • After the balloon is removed, the doctor fills the space with a medical cement. The cement hardens in about 15 minutes and acts like an internal support to hold the bone in place.


Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty

These two treatments are similar, but there is one key difference.
  • Vertebroplasty uses cement only. The doctor injects the cement directly into the broken bone without using a balloon first.
  • Kyphoplasty uses a balloon first to help restore some of the bone's height before the cement is placed.


Why Kyphoplasty Is Done

Kyphoplasty can help people who have a painful compression fracture that makes it hard to move, stand, or sleep. It may be recommended when:
  • Other treatments have not worked, such as rest, bracing, or pain medicine
  • The pain is severe enough to limit movement and daily activity
  • The fracture is recent and has not healed yet, usually within 8 to 12 weeks


Recovery and What to Expect

  • Kyphoplasty is usually done as an outpatient procedure, so most people go home the same day. It often takes 30 to 60 minutes for each vertebra treated.
  • Many patients feel pain relief within 24 to 48 hours. Once the cement hardens, the sharp pain from the fracture often improves quickly.
  • Most people can walk soon after the procedure.
  • Heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be avoided for a few weeks, but normal daily activities can often be resumed fairly quickly.