Balloon Kyphoplasty

If you have been diagnosed with a spinal fracture caused by osteoporosis, cancer or benign tumors, balloon kyphoplasty is a treatment option you may want to consider. Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can significantly reduce back pain and repair the broken bone of a spinal fracture.

The procedure is called balloon kyphoplasty because orthopaedic balloons are used to lift the fractured bone and return it to the correct position.

Before the procedure, you will have a medical exam and undergo diagnostic studies such as X-rays, to determine the precise location of the fracture. Balloon kyphoplasty can be done under local or general anesthesia—your physician will decide which option is appropriate for you.

Balloon kyphoplasty takes about one hour per fracture treated. It can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on medical necessity. After the procedure, you will likely be transferred to the Recovery Room for about an hour for observation.

While in the hospital, you may be encouraged to walk and move about. Patients usually report immediate relief from pain [17,19,29]   and are able to walk and move about during their hospital stay.

Your doctor will probably schedule a follow-up visit and explain limitations, if any, on your activity. Most patients report being satisfied with the procedure and are gradually able to resume activity once discharged from the hospital. [17,19]

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and serious adverse events can occur. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor.

Also, please note that not all patients are candidates for balloon kyphoplasty.

After the procedure, you will likely be transferred to the Recovery Room for observation.

Balloon kyphoplasty takes about an hour per fracture treated.  It can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on medical necessity. During your time in the hospital, you may be encouraged to walk and move about. Patients usually report immediate relief from pain and are able to walk and move about during their hospital stay. [17,19]

Your doctor will probably schedule a follow-up visit and explain limitations, if any, on your activity. Most patients are very satisfied with the procedure and are gradually able to resume activity once discharged from the hospital.

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks. Serious adverse events can occur. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor.

Also, please note that not all patients are candidates for balloon kyphoplasty.

Procedure Step-by-Step

Step 1: Balloon Placement

With a hollow instrument, a narrow pathway is made into the fractured bone. A small orthopaedic balloon is guided through the instrument into the vertebral body. The incision site is approximately 1 cm (1/3 inch) in length. Typically, two balloons are used, one on each side of the vertebral body, to better support the bone as it moves back into position and increase the likelihood of deformity correction.

Step 2: Balloon Inflation

Next, the balloons are carefully inflated in an attempt to raise the collapsed vertebral body and return it to its normal position.

Step 3: Cavity Creation

Inflation of the balloons creates a cavity (space) within the vertebral body that compacts the soft, inner bone against the outer wall. The cavity also functions as a “container” for the bone cement.

Once the vertebral body is in the correct position, the balloons are deflated and removed.

Step 4: Cavity Fill

The cavity is filled with thick bone cement to stabilize the fracture.

Step 5: Internal Cast

The bone cement forms an internal cast that holds the vertebral body in place.

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Click on the image below to view a procedure animation of balloon kyphoplasty. This is a large file (10.1MB), therefore you may have to wait several moments for the animation to download.

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