Kyphoplasty for Osteoporotic Compression Fractures
Kyphoplasty treats a painful vertebral compression fracture from the inside. Through a needle placed into the vertebra under X-ray guidance, a small balloon is inflated to restore some of the lost height, then the cavity is filled with bone cement that hardens in minutes. The fracture is stabilized immediately, and most patients feel the difference when they stand up in the recovery room.
It is a 30-minute outpatient procedure under sedation, with two needle-sized entry points and no stitches.
Who it is for
- Painful osteoporotic compression fracture that has not improved with 2–6 weeks of bracing and pain medication
- Pain that limits standing and walking
- A recent fracture with edema on MRI (typically under three months)
- Compression fractures from cancer (myeloma, metastases) causing pain
- Intact posterior vertebral wall and no neurological deficit
Why we use it
- Immediate stabilization; pain relief often within hours
- Same-day discharge, no brace
- Restores some vertebral height and reduces kyphosis
- Two needle-sized entry points, no incision
- Safe in frail and elderly patients
How the procedure is done
- Sedation and local anesthetic; positioned face-down.
- Under live X-ray, a needle is passed through each pedicle into the fractured vertebra.
- A balloon is inflated to lift the collapsed bone and create a cavity.
- The cavity is filled with bone cement, which hardens within minutes.
- Needles are removed; small adhesive dressings cover the entry points.
Recovery
Walking within an hour; home the same day; return to normal activity within a few days. Treatment of osteoporosis begins right away to protect the rest of the spine.
Risks, stated plainly
Cement leakage (usually without consequence), infection, bleeding, a new fracture at an adjacent level, rare nerve injury. Dr. Daggubati reviews the specific risks for your situation in person before any decision is made.
Common questions
Kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty?
Both inject cement; kyphoplasty first inflates a balloon to create a cavity, which allows lower-pressure cement injection and some height restoration. Dr. Daggubati prefers kyphoplasty for most patients.
Will it stop me getting another fracture?
Not by itself. The most important step after kyphoplasty is treating the osteoporosis that caused the fracture.