Kyphoplasty

What it looks like

Osteoporosis strikes many-- men and women. Injuries also cause vertebral injuries that need treatment.

Learn more about Osteoporosis, Click here.

Normally, the spine is composed of solid vertebrae which connect to nearby vertebra by discs and interdigitates with those vertebrae by joints. Vertebra are very strong and normally can withstand forces of 350 lb/in²

Osteoporosis causes the vertebrae to weaken and fracture (VCF). This is a broken back and it hurts. Such fractures can occur with minor trauma or normal activities. This can precipitate hospitalization and respiratory problems. Prolonged bedrest can lead to DVT disease in the legs with pulmonary problems.

This is a condition to be taken seriously

Under flouroscopy, a trocar is placed on either side of the vertebra and inside the vertebra. Carefully guided, the balloon catheter is put deep inside the vertebra

The balloon is inflated and the progress of vertebra reformation or reduction is followed on xray in real-time. 

When the balloon has done its work, the balloon is deflated and the cavity created is filled with PMMA, bone cement which can be seen on xray.

The fracture is stabilized and the pain usually responds to this treatment promptly. I always recommend a week of taking it easy, because the adjacent vertebrae can collapse after one is made so strong.

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