Kraus Back & Neck Institute: 281.446.3876(281.44.Neuro)

Treatment

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat vertebral compression fractures related to osteoporosis. Benefits include spinal deformity correction, significant pain relief, and, for many patients, the ability to resume a normal lifestyle.

Kyphoplasty vs. Vertebroplasty: Kyphoplasty uses a balloon

How kyphoplasty is performed

Kyphoplasty is performed under local or general anesthesia. Small incisions are made in both sides of your back. Using image guided x-ray technology a narrow tube is threaded through the incision to the fractured vertebra. A special balloon, a bone tamp is inserted through the tube into the vertebra and gently inflated to help restore the vertebral body height.

Next, the bone tamp is removed and the space is filled with bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA). The cement quickly hardens, repairs the fracture, and stabilizes and strengthens the vertebral body. Vertebral body height is restored and pain is relieved. The procedure takes about an hour for each fracture treated.

Potential benefits of kyphoplasty

Listed below are some of the benefits kyphoplasty offers.

  • It is a minimally invasive procedure; small incisions, often a fast recovery
  • Short hospital stay (sometimes outpatient)
  • Most patients experience immediate pain relief
  • Quickly able to return to normal daily activities
  • No bracing is required
  • Future spinal fracture may be avoided
  • By stabilizing the fractured vertebra, the onset or worsening of severe spinal deformity is prevented

Possible risks, complications of kyphoplasty

All surgical procedures, including kyphoplasty, involve risks and complications.Some risks and complications are not related to the procedure, but to your general health. Your neurosurgeon will discuss all the procedure details, including potential risks that related to your specific case.

Post-operative care for kyphoplasty

  • You may be discharged home as soon as one or two hours after your procedure. Some patients spend a night in the hospital
  • You must have a friend or family member available to drive you home. Your procedure involved general anesthesia, and you cannot drive for at least 48 hours
  • Keep the incision/puncture sites on your back clean and dry for several days
  • Take care to avoid falling and other activities that put osteoporotic patients at risk for fracture (e.g., heavy lifting)

Closely follow the written instructions given to you at hospital discharge. These instructions include emergency contact information in case you develop problems before your follow-up appointment with your neurosurgeon.

You can learn more about kyphoplasty from the following sources:

Gary Kraus, MD,
Neurosurgeon, is Board Certified
Meet Gary Kraus, MD
Masaki Oishi, MD,
Spine Fellowship at the University
Meet Gary Kraus, MD
Pain Library - Kraus Back & Neck Institute
Online Videos - Kraus Back & Neck Institute
Patient Forms - Kraus Back & Neck Institute
The Woodlands Office
3101 College Park Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77384   MAP
Sugarland / Richmond Office
21155 Southwest Freeway, Richmond, TX 77469   MAP
West Houston Medical Center
12121 Richmond Ave., Ste. 324 Houston, Texas 77082   MAP
West University/Galleria
3391 West Park
Houston, Texas 77005   MAP
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Professional Building III, 915 Gessner, Ste. 360 Houston, Texas 77024   MAP
Humble Office
8901 FM 1960 Bypass, Ste. 304 Humble, Texas 77338    MAP
West Grand Parkway North
1331 West Grand Parkway North, Suite 320, Katy, Texas 77493       MAP