Kyphoplasty

What is kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to treat compression fractures in your spine. These are painful breaks in the vertebrae (the bones that make up your spine). Compression fractures can cause the bones in your spine to collapse, leading to kyphosis, or a curve in your spine that makes it look like you’re hunched over. It can limit your breathing or the function of your abdominal organs. Kyphoplasty prevents this curve from happening.

You may hear your healthcare provider refer to kyphoplasty as a balloon kyphoplasty.

What does kyphoplasty treat or manage?

Kyphoplasty treats vertebral compression fractures. The most common cause of these fractures is the thinning and weakening of bones (osteoporosis) or a spinal injury. This procedure can also treat pathologic fractures (a broken bone caused by an underlying condition) related to spinal tumors or multiple myeloma.

Is kyphoplasty a major surgery?

No. Kyphoplasty is minimally invasive because a surgeon will make a small puncture through your skin instead of an incision (cut).

How common is kyphoplasty?

Over 19,000 kyphoplasty procedures happen each year in the United States.

Who is a candidate for kyphoplasty?

You may be a candidate for kyphoplasty if you have painful, worsening back pain caused by a compression fracture. You may not be able to move or function as well as you used to because of the fracture.

To be a candidate for kyphoplasty, your pain must relate to the compression fracture, not another condition like disk herniation, arthritis or stenosis.

A healthcare provider will perform imaging tests to confirm the presence of a vertebral fracture. If you have osteoporosis, your healthcare provider may order a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan.

How should I prepare for kyphoplasty?

At an appointment before your kyphoplasty procedure, your healthcare provider may do the following:

• Perform a physical exam.
• Order a spine X-ray, CT (computed tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
• Discuss recent illnesses.
• Talk about any allergies you may have.
• Discuss the medications you’re taking.
• Order blood tests.

They’ll also schedule the date of your surgery during this visit so you have time to prepare for it. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions before your surgery, like:

• Don’t continue certain medications, like blood thinners (don’t stop taking medication unless your healthcare provider approves it).
• Take certain medications prescribed by your surgeon before the date of your surgery.
• Don’t eat or drink anything for up to three hours before the procedure.
• Don’t wear jewelry on the day of your procedure and wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• Reduce or stop smoking. Ask your provider for resources to help with this.

What happens during kyphoplasty?

On the day of your surgery, an anesthesiologist will give you moderate sedation or anesthesia. This depends on what your surgeon needs to do. With moderate sedation, you’ll feel minimal discomfort or you’ll be asleep with general anesthesia.

During the kyphoplasty procedure, you’ll lie on your stomach. Your surgeon will insert a hollow needle, called a trocar, through your skin and into the affected bone in your spine. A type of X-ray, called a fluoroscopy, guides the trocar into the proper position.

Once the trocar is in place, your surgeon will put an inflatable, balloon-like device into your vertebra through the trocar. As the balloon inflates, it helps regain vertebral height and opens a space for your surgeon to inject bone cement there. The cement prevents your bones from further collapsing.

Is kyphoplasty an inpatient or outpatient procedure?

Kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure that a surgeon will perform in a hospital or outpatient clinic. You’ll go home the same day.

How long does kyphoplasty take?

A kyphoplasty procedure takes less than an hour to complete for one section of your spine.

What happens after kyphoplasty?

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions to take care of yourself after a kyphoplasty procedure. You’ll be able to go home the same day. Make arrangements to have someone drive you home when the procedure is over.

You can return to normal activities after kyphoplasty but try to avoid hard efforts like heavy lifting until your overall bone health improves.

Your surgeon will place a bandage over the area of the skin where they performed the procedure. Keep the bandage on for two days. You may need someone’s help to take the bandage off when your healthcare provider approves it. Your provider may recommend taking showers instead of baths as you heal.

Let your healthcare provider know if you experience swelling or severe pain after surgery.

What are the benefits of kyphoplasty?

The benefits of kyphoplasty include:

• Reduces or eliminates pain caused by compression fractures.
• Prevents kyphosis (hunched-over posture).
• Minimally invasive and short procedure time.
• No physical therapy or rehabilitation required after.

What is the success rate of kyphoplasty?

An estimated 92% of people who undergo kyphoplasty report better pain relief after the procedure.

Is kyphoplasty painful?

You won’t feel strong, sharp pain during a kyphoplasty procedure since you’ll receive moderate sedation or anesthesia. You may feel sore after the anesthetic wears off. But, this should resolve within a couple of days. Applying ice to the area can help relieve any soreness.

What are the complications or side effects of kyphoplasty?

Complications are rare for kyphoplasty procedures but could include:

• Infection or bleeding.
• Increased pain, numbness or tingling.
• Nerve damage.
• Additional fractures (if you have osteoporosis).
• Cement migrates to other parts of your body (can lead to pulmonary embolism or spinal stenosis).

To avoid these risks, especially your risk of additional fractures, your healthcare provider will ensure that you’re taking medications to improve your bone quality if you have osteoporosis.

What is the recovery time for kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty usually provides pain relief and improved mobility (movement) within 48 hours of the procedure. In some cases, you may feel pain relief immediately. Pain caused by the procedure itself should go away within two to three days.

When can I return to my regular activities after kyphoplasty?

Your healthcare provider will advise you on when it’s safe to return to your regular activities. For most people, you can get back to your daily routine after your anesthetic wears off. Avoid strenuous activities for several weeks following kyphoplasty.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you:

• Develop an infection (swelling, skin color changes and a fever).
• Have excess bleeding.
• Feel numbness or tingling.
• Have worsening pain.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Kyphoplasty is a very low-risk procedure. Studies show that the success rate of kyphoplasty is very positive. You might feel pain relief right away, or it might take a few days for you to feel better. While side effects are possible, your risk is very low. If you have any questions about the procedure, talk to your surgeon or care team. They’ll be available to answer any questions you might have to help you prepare and recover.