Kyphoplasty

What It Is

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for painful vertebral compression fractures — the kind that happen when an osteoporotic vertebra collapses under everyday loads. A small needle is placed into the fractured vertebra under live X-ray (fluoroscopy); a balloon is inflated inside the bone to restore some of the lost height; then bone cement is injected to stabilize the fracture and lock in that height.

The closely related procedure vertebroplasty skips the balloon and just injects cement to stabilize the fracture without restoring height. Both are performed by interventional spine specialists — typically interventional radiologists, pain management physicians, or spine surgeons with specific training.

How It Works

The cement (polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA) hardens within minutes inside the vertebra, immobilizing the microscopic motion at the fracture site that’s producing pain. Most patients notice meaningful pain relief within 24 to 72 hours. Restoring height with the balloon (in kyphoplasty) can also reduce the kyphotic deformity that develops when multiple vertebrae fracture and the spine rounds forward.

It’s important to know that kyphoplasty does not treat the underlying osteoporosis — without bone-strengthening medication and a structured plan, the next vertebra is at high risk. OSI manages that side of the care.

When It’s Used

Kyphoplasty is typically considered when:

• An acute or subacute compression fracture is causing severe back pain that limits function
• Imaging (MRI) confirms the fracture is fresh (not old / healed) and active edema is present
• Pain has not adequately responded to initial conservative care — activity modification, bracing, and pain medication
• Functional decline from the pain (immobility, deconditioning, loss of independence) is a real risk

Older, fully healed compression fractures generally do not benefit from kyphoplasty.

What to Expect

• The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes per level treated
• Performed in an operating room or procedure suite under local anesthesia with sedation, occasionally under general anesthesia
• Most patients go home the same day or after one overnight stay
• Pain relief is often dramatic and starts within 24 to 72 hours
• Walking is encouraged the same day; specific activity restrictions are minimal
• Bone-strengthening medication and bone-density follow-up start immediately to reduce the risk of the next fracture

Risks and Limitations

• Cement leakage. A small amount of cement can leak outside the vertebral body. Most leaks are clinically silent; rarely, a leak compresses a nerve or enters a vein, which can be serious.
• Adjacent-level fracture. The risk of a new fracture in a neighboring vertebra appears slightly elevated after augmentation; aggressive osteoporosis treatment lowers this risk substantially.
• Infection. Rare with sterile technique.
• Bleeding. Relevant if you take blood thinners.
• Incomplete relief. A subset of patients don’t experience the full pain relief they hoped for.
• Anesthesia risks per the type of anesthesia used.

Why OSI Doesn’t Do This In-House

OSI does not perform kyphoplasty in-house. It’s an interventional spine procedure that requires fluoroscopy, vertebral augmentation equipment, and procedural training outside the OSI orthopedic scope. Patients with a painful, image-confirmed fresh compression fracture who would benefit from kyphoplasty are referred to a trusted interventional spine specialist, with imaging and records sent ahead.

OSI continues to manage the rest of the care — bracing, activity guidance, the underlying osteoporosis treatment with bone-strengthening medication, and bone-density follow-up — so the procedure fits into a complete plan rather than a one-off intervention.

Next Steps

If you think you might be a candidate — or you just want a generalist read on whether this procedure is the right next step — schedule a spine evaluation at OSI or call (830) 625-0009. We will examine you, review imaging you bring with you, and either start a non-operative plan or coordinate the referral to a trusted pain management partner.