Kyphoplasty & Vertebroplasty Procedures for Pain Management
Spinal Fracture Repair
Treatment Overview
Spinal fracture repair refers to various treatments to address and correct structural issues in the spine like damage to vertebrae. These treatments are designed to alleviate pain, restore function and improve spinal stability.
Spinal Fracture Repair Types
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures designed to treat spinal fractures. They serve as effective alternatives to traditional back surgery, especially for individuals with vertebral compression fractures who may not need or are not suited for more invasive options. These procedures offer quicker recovery, reduced risk of complications and significant pain relief that helps many individuals return to their daily activities more rapidly.
Kyphoplasty Procedure
The Kyphoplasty procedure is a treatment that aims to relieve pain, restore vertebral height and stabilize the spine in individuals suffering from spinal compression fractures. These fractures are commonly due to osteoporosis, cancer or traumatic injury. By addressing the height loss of the fractured vertebra, kyphoplasty helps reduce spinal deformity and improve overall spinal alignment.
During the procedure, a small needle and tube create a pathway into the fractured bone. An orthopedic balloon is inserted and inflated to lift the collapsed vertebra, forming a cavity. After removing the balloon, the cavity is filled with bone cement to stabilize the vertebra. The procedure takes about an hour per fracture and involves a small incision. Depending on the individual’s condition, it can be done under local or general anesthesia.
Vertebroplasty Procedure
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive treatment designed to stabilize the vertebra and reduce pain from spinal compression fractures. It is generally considered less complex since it involves direct cement injection without the need for balloon inflation. While it effectively stabilizes the vertebra, it does not address the loss of vertebral height.
During the vertebroplasty procedure, X-ray guidance is used to accurately place specifically formulated acrylic bone cement into a partially compressed vertebra. Before it hardens, the cement fills the spaces of the damaged bone, stabilizing the spinal fractures. This procedure requires little to no general anesthesia and offers a quick recovery time, often eliminating the need for overnight hospitalization. Around 90% of people experience pain relief or elimination within 48 hours.
Who Benefits from Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty
Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty are particularly effective for:
- People with Severe Pain: Those whose pain from a compression fracture is not managed by conservative treatments like medication or physical therapy.
- Individuals with Spinal Deformity: Those who have developed a noticeable curvature or deformity in the spine due to fractured vertebrae.
- Individuals Needing Rapid Relief: Individuals who need quick pain relief and improved spinal stability to regain mobility and quality of life.
What to Expect
- Preparation: Both procedures are performed at our same-day surgery center with sedation or local anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
- Procedure: Using advanced imaging, your provider will guide a needle into the fractured vertebra. For vertebroplasty, bone cement stabilizes the bone. In kyphoplasty, a small balloon is inflated to create space, which is then filled with cement to restore height and reduce deformity.
- Recovery: You’ll be briefly monitored after the procedure. Most individuals experience immediate pain relief, with any mild soreness managed by over-the-counter pain relievers.
Insurance & Billing
Your eligibility for any procedure depends on the benefits outlined by your insurance provider, and our team at Nura will assist you with the authorization process.
Comprehensive Care
At Nura, we seamlessly integrate interventional procedures, physical therapy, psychological support and medications. Research shows that this comprehensive approach is the most effective way to manage chronic pain.
Find Pain Relief
Schedule an appointment with one of our pain specialists by filling out our appointment request form or giving us a call at 763-537-6000.
