Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty for Back Pain

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive treatments used to address painful, worsening vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). These fractures occur when the bones in the spine collapse or crack due to pressure.

Benefits of Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty offers several advantages. It is minimally invasive and generally takes less than an hour to perform. Additional benefits include:

• Significant reduction in back pain
• Restoration of spinal height, which can help regain overall body height
• Improved quality of life with less reliance on pain medications
• Ability to return to many daily activities
• Better posture
• Enhanced mobility
• Faster recovery compared to more invasive operations
• No need for physical therapy or rehabilitation afterward

How to Prepare for Kyphoplasty

Before the procedure, your physician will conduct a physical examination and order imaging tests such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Your doctor will provide detailed pre-procedure instructions, which may include:

• Bathe or shower on the morning of the procedure
• Stop taking certain medications, especially blood thinners like aspirin or coumadin
• Avoid eating or drinking for up to three hours beforehand
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing
• Remove any jewelry
• Refrain from smoking, as it may increase bleeding risks
• Avoid alcohol for several days before the procedure

It is important to tell your doctor about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and any herbal or natural supplements you are using. Your doctor will let you know which ones to pause and which to continue.

How Kyphoplasty Is Performed

Kyphoplasty is carried out under continuous X-ray (fluoroscopic) guidance for precision and safety, and is performed at our pain clinics.

• You will lie on your stomach, and the skin on your back will be sterilized.
  Mild sedation is typically used.
• Dr. Ajay Narwani will insert a needle into the affected vertebra using X-ray guidance.
• For kyphoplasty, a small balloon is inflated inside the vertebra to create a cavity and help lift the collapsed bone. Cement is then injected into this space.
• For vertebroplasty, the balloon step is skipped, and cement is injected directly into the fractured vertebra.

What to Expect After Kyphoplasty

Following the procedure, you will be monitored for a few hours to ensure a safe recovery from sedation or anesthesia. Some patients may need to stay overnight.

You should arrange for someone to drive you home. Most people can walk within a few hours, though mild soreness at the needle site is common. Keep the area clean and apply ice to reduce discomfort and inflammation. This soreness usually fades within 2–3 days.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends returning to normal activities as soon as it is comfortable to do so. However, recommendations vary by patient. Your doctor may suggest resting in bed for the first 24 hours, and avoiding strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and pushing or pulling motions for four to six weeks.

Recovery Time After Kyphoplasty

Complete recovery typically takes between four and six weeks. The exact duration depends on your overall health and how many vertebrae were treated. Complications are uncommon and rarely delay healing.