Kyphoplasty may be beneficial when conservative treatments fail to ease the pain from your vertebral compression fracture. Interventional pain management specialist Dr. Joseph Fortin, Medical Director of Spine Technology and Rehabilitation and Clinical Professor of Indiana University School of Medicine in Fort Wayne, Indiana, offers many innovative treatments, including kyphoplasty, to help patients get relief from their back pain. To learn more about this minimally invasive surgical procedure, call the office today or book an appointment online.
Kyphoplasty
What is kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that is utilized to treat vertebral compression fractures. Your spine is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae. When the body of the vertebral bone collapses (because it cannot sustain the forces imparted on it) physicians refer to the damaged bone as a vertebral compression fracture. While these fractures cause severe back pain, they can also lead to loss of height and spinal deformity.
Vertebral compression fractures typically develop after an injury. Most often seen in people with osteoporosis, this chronic condition weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.
What happens during kyphoplasty?
Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure typically performed under conscious sedation.
Using a real- time imaging device for guiding the needle called fluoroscopy, Dr. Fortin inserts a needle into your spine and inflates a surgical balloon within the damaged bone to raise the vertebra, therein restoring its height. He then injects spinal cement to fill in the spaces created by the balloon and repair the deformed bone.
Following your procedure, you’re taken to the recovery area for monitoring and then discharged home.
How long is recovery after kyphoplasty?
While you will likely experience some soreness after your kyphoplasty, most patients report less pain and improved mobility within 48 hours after the procedure. Dr. Fortin will review the specifics of your recovery during your consultation so that you know what to expect.
Many patients resume their usual active lifestyle after the procedure without pain or reduced mobility.
To schedule a consultation to learn more about kyphoplasty, call Spine Technology and Rehabilitation today at 260-459-7313.