Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is performed with the patient positioned face down, under local anesthetic with sedation. The steps are:

1. Access. Using continuous fluoroscopic guidance, a narrow pathway is created through the pedicle into the fractured vertebral body. No open incision is required.
2. Balloon inflation. A small balloon is passed through the pathway and carefully inflated inside the collapsed vertebra. This creates a cavity and, where the fracture allows, restores some of the lost vertebral height.
3. Cement placement. The balloon is removed and the cavity is filled with bone cement, which hardens within minutes to stabilize the vertebra internally.
4. Recovery. The pathway is closed with a small dressing. Most patients are monitored briefly and go home the same day.

The entire procedure typically takes 30 to 45 minutes per level treated.

Both procedures stabilize a fractured vertebra with bone cement, and Padda Institute performs both — see our vertebroplasty page for that approach. The difference is the balloon step.

Vertebroplasty injects cement directly into the fractured vertebra without first creating a cavity. It stabilizes the bone but does not attempt to restore height.

Kyphoplasty inflates a balloon first. This creates a defined space for the cement and, in fractures treated before the bone has consolidated, can recover some of the lost vertebral height and reduce the forward angle of the spine.

Which procedure is appropriate depends on the age of the fracture, the degree of collapse, and the surrounding bone quality. That determination is made after reviewing your imaging, not in advance.

Kyphoplasty is generally considered when:

• Imaging confirms a vertebral compression fracture that is still an active source of pain
• Pain has not responded adequately to rest, bracing, and medication
• The fracture is recent enough that the bone has not fully consolidated
• Pain is limiting mobility, sleep, or independence

Timing matters. Kyphoplasty is most effective when performed while the fracture is still fresh — generally within weeks to a few months of onset. Fractures that have fully healed in a collapsed position are usually managed differently.

Not every compression fracture requires intervention. Some heal well with conservative care. The purpose of the consultation is to determine which category yours falls into.

You should eat a light meal within a few hours before your procedure. If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, do not change your normal eating pattern before checking with our office. Take your routine medications with a small amount of water unless you have been told otherwise.

Tell us in advance if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, or rivaroxaban. These often need to be paused before the procedure, and the timing must be coordinated with the physician who prescribed them.

Because sedation is used, you will need someone to drive you home. Most patients are up and walking within an hour of the procedure. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for the first several days, and follow the specific activity guidance you are given at discharge.

A compression fracture is often the first clear sign of underlying osteoporosis. Stabilizing the fracture treats the pain, but it does not treat the bone disease that caused it. Bone density evaluation and management should follow.