Kyphoplasty

At New York Pain Care, our staff has the experience with the lower back pain treatment needed to address the damage caused by osteoporosis. In the slideshow presentation on this page, you’ll learn more about Kyphoplasty. This minimally invasive procedure will reduce your pain and help straighten your spine. Contact New York Pain Care to learn more.

What Is Kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat vertebral compression fractures (VCF), which are mainly caused by osteoporosis. During the procedure, the surgeon places a small balloon in the collapsed vertebra, inflates the balloon to make a cavity, and fills this cavity with medical-grade bone cement. The procedure’s goals are to stabilize the fracture, reduce pain, and restore height, allowing for better posture and mobility.

How Does Kyphoplasty Work?

Kyphoplasty starts with the placement of a small needle under imaging guidance into the fractured vertebra. A small specialized balloon is then passed through the needle and inflated with a gas to restore the shape of the vertebra. Once space has been created, it is filled with bone cement that hardens rapidly to stabilize the fracture. The procedure is normally performed under local or general anesthesia and takes less than one hour per fractured vertebra.

Who Is a Candidate for Kyphoplasty?

Ideal candidates for kyphoplasty include individuals with recent, painful vertebral compression fractures that haven’t responded to conservative treatments like rest, pain medication, or physical therapy. These fractures are often caused by osteoporosis but may also result from trauma or cancer. Symptoms usually include acute back pain, reduced mobility, and inability to walk upright.

However, kyphoplasty isn’t recommended for patients with chronic, stable fractures, active infections, bleeding disorders, or allergies to the materials used in the procedure. Spine specialist assessment and imaging tests must be done to ascertain candidacy.

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Amr Hosny, MD, MBA, FASABook Now David Chu, MD, FAAPMRBook Now Vivek Mehta, MD, FAAPMRBook Now Deepali Gupta, MD, DABA, DABPMBook Now

Benefits of Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty has a number of important benefits for vertebral compression fracture patients:

• Significant and often immediate pain relief
• Restoration of lost vertebral height in some cases
• Straightening and improvement of spinal posture
• Increased mobility and ability to perform daily activities
• Reduced reliance on pain medications
• Minimally invasive with a low complication rate
• Short recovery time, often allowing same-day discharge

These benefits may be used to enhance quality of life and prevent further complications of untreated spinal fractures.

Kyphoplasty Procedure: Step-by-Step

1. Preparation: Imaging tests (X-ray or MRI) are used to locate the fracture. Blood tests may also be performed.
2. Anesthesia: You’ll receive local or general anesthesia for comfort.
3. Needle Insertion: Using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, a needle is inserted through a small incision into the affected vertebra.
4. Balloon Inflation: A small balloon is placed and gently inflated to restore vertebral height.
5. Cement Injection: Once the balloon is removed, bone cement is injected into the space.
6. Completion: The needle is removed, and no stitches are typically needed.

Recovery After Kyphoplasty

The majority of patients can walk within an hour of the procedure and return home the same day. A little soreness at the injection site is common but normally resolves in a few days. It may take a few weeks to recover fully, during which time strenuous activity should be avoided. Your physician might prescribe physical therapy, lifestyle modification, or supplements to help strengthen your bones and avoid future fractures. Follow-up visits are necessary to check healing and assess overall spine health.

Risks and Side Effects

While generally safe, potential risks of kyphoplasty include:

• Infection at the injection site
• Bleeding or hematoma
• Cement leakage (usually minor and asymptomatic)
• Nerve irritation or injury
• Allergic reaction to anesthesia or cement materials

Severe complications are rare, especially if performed by skilled specialists. Discuss your health history and concerns with your doctor to find out your risks.

Why Choose New York Pain Care for Kyphoplasty?

New York Pain Care offers comprehensive spine care delivered by board-certified interventional pain specialists. Our team utilizes the latest imaging and surgery techniques to perform kyphoplasty safely and effectively. Focusing on minimally invasive procedures and patient-centered care, we aim to restore function and eliminate pain with minimal downtime. From initial consultation to post-procedure recovery, we provide personalized care every step of the way.

Kyphoplasty is a safe and highly successful, minimally invasive treatment for reducing painful vertebral compression fractures. If you’re experiencing recurring back pain that may be caused by a spinal fracture, contact us to schedule an appointment. At New York Pain Care, our compassionate staff is ready to serve you in restoring mobility, easing pain, and improving the quality of your life.

New York Pain Care
20 Squadron Blvd, Suite 290
New City, NY 10956
(212) 242-8160