If your doctor determines that your back pain is caused by vertebral compression fractures, they may recommend you receive a kyphoplasty procedure. Vertebral compression fractures are when the vertebrae in your spine, the bone discs, begin to lose their structure. This can be caused by an injury, osteoporosis, or other causes, such as cancer.
During a kyphoplasty procedure, you will receive mild sedation. Your doctor will then numb the skin and use x-ray guidance to guide a needle to the affected vertebrae. The vertebrae will be well anesthetized, after which, the needle will be advanced into the vertebral body. A balloon is then inflated into the bone to create space, then bone cement is injected. After allowing the cement to dry and a brief observation period, you are allowed to return home the same day. The procedure helps to increase the height of the affected vertebrae, drastically reducing pain and improving the bone’s structural integrity.
This procedure is considered as a safe operation to treat vertebral compression fractures, with complications being rare, but include bleeding, infection, nerve damage, or bone cement drifting away from the injection site. Certain conditions may disqualify you from this procedure, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you suffer from conditions such as spinal stenosis, scoliosis, or significant vertebral structural compromise. At Mountain View Pain Center, we will work to find a treatment that alleviates your pain, whether it be conservative therapies or non-surgical interventions. Contact one of our locations today to learn more!