What is a Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgery used to treat spinal compression fractures. Compression fractures usually occur in the chest region of the spine or in the low back, in areas weakened by osteoporosis.
The goals of the procedure are to reduce pain from the fracture, restore the natural height of the vertebrae, and ensure stability.
Who is the perfect patient for a kyphoplasty?
- Patients with confirmed osteoporosis who have a recent osteoporotic fracture are ideal candidates, because the more recent the fracture has occurred, the more likely it is able to have its height restored.
- Patients with pain from an osteoporotic fracture: if you are known to have an osteoporotic fracture and have pain at that level, restoring height and fixing the broken vertebral body may relieve the pain.
Approach
- The patient lays face down on the operating theatre table.
- An intra-operative x-ray is used to confirm the correct levels before the incision is made.
- Using x-ray guidance, a narrow tube goes through the pedicle on the affected vertebrae and then enters the body of the vertebrae.
- It is then ballooned up to restore the cavity to its natural height. The balloon pump is then deflated while bone cement is used to fill in the new space. This cement hardens very quickly, essentially forming a sort of cast inside the bone.
- The process may be repeated on the other pedicle on the bone to ensure uniformity and give a better chance of deformity correction.
- The probe is then removed and the incision closed with staples or sutures. A dressing may be placed on top.
Aftercare
- You will be taken to the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) in order to recover. You are likely able to go home from the PACU.
- Dr. Webb may write you a script for physical therapy, pain medication, and a postoperative back brace. Follow all instructions.
- Do not do any heavy lifting or twisting for six weeks after the surgery.
- You will take off the back dressing in one week. After doing so, you are able to allow water to run over the incision. Do not scrub. Pat it dry.
- You will see Dr. Webb in two weeks for a postoperative check up.
What are the complications?
Like any surgery, there are risks of complications.
- General risks: anesthesia complications, death, bleeding, infection, wound healing, reoperation
- Permanent nerve damage: when operating near nerves, it is possible to injure them
- Bone damage: when operating with bones, there is a chance of bone damage
- Inadequate pain control: there is a chance the surgery will not lower your pain, and may paradoxically increase your pain.