Kyphoplasty
Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) occur in over 750,000 people in the US each year. Unfortunately, two out of three individuals with these fractures go undiagnosed and untreated. At STAR Health, we believe our patients deserve better care, especially as the evidence demonstrates that VCFs carry over a 50% higher risk of death at one year when treated with conservative versus surgical management. In other words, the science indicates VCFs should not be ignored, or simply treated with braces, bed rest, and medications. Instead, patients with VCFs most often need a vertebral augmentation procedure like kyphoplasty. Consider that one life is saved for every 15 patients treated with vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty).
Interventional pain management specialist. Dr. Joseph Fortin at STAR Health 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.
What is kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to treat vertebral compression fractures. Your spine is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae. A vertebral compression fracture occurs when the vertebrae is subjected to a load that exceeds its weight bearing capacity.
Vertebral compression fractures typically develop after an injury. They are most often seen in people with osteoporosis, a chronic condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.
In patients with osteoporosis, fractures may result from a minor slip and fall, a cough or sneeze, and in some cases spontaneously. Vertebral compression fractures may cause severe back pain, lead to loss of height, and cause a spinal deformity.
Who needs kyphoplasty?
A kyphoplasty is needed in most cases if you have a vertebral compression fracture that creates more than a minor defect in your vertebrae. Consider that your spine is the major weight-bearing axis of your body ,and a defect that creates a change in alignment may have a major impact on your mobility, and even your lung function.
As an interventional pain management specialist, Dr. Fortin will provide a comprehensive evaluation at STAR Health to determine if kyphoplasty is the right procedure for you. He will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and review the details of kyphoplasty during your evaluation.
What happens during kyphoplasty?
Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, a kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure, typically performed with conscious sedation (versus general anesthesia).
Using image guidance technology (known as fluoroscopy), Dr. Fortin inserts a small needle into your spine and inflates a surgical balloon near your fracture to raise the vertebra, restoring its height. He then instills bone cement to fill in the space created by the balloon, thereby repairing the fracture.
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. During your initial consultation Dr. Fortin will review in detail the recovery process, so that you know what to anticipate following the kyphoplasty procedure. Many patients resume their usual active lifestyles after the procedure without pain or reduced mobility.
If you have a compression fracture and wish to resume your usual active lifestyle without pain or reduced mobility, schedule a consultation to learn more about kyphoplasty, call STAR Health today, or book an appointment online.