Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

Orthopedics | About spine surgery | Diagnosis | Treatment | Recovery and rehabilitation

A spinal compression fracture happens when a bone in the spine collapses due to cracked or thinning bones. This can cause significant pain and a reduced ability to move. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are treatments for spinal compression fractures.

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive spine surgery. It uses tiny incisions and instruments to inject cement into the broken bone to strengthen it and ease pain.

In kyphoplasty, a deflated balloon is placed inside the broken bone via a tube and inflated with air to restore the bone to its normal height. Bone cement is then injected into the space to hold the bone in place. This treatment also uses minimally invasive methods.