What is Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty?

The vertebrae are a series of bones that make up the spine. When one fractures , it can put pressure on surrounding nerves. This can cause intense pain and disability. The bones may be repaired with these procedures.

• In vertebroplasty, an acrylic cement is injected into a fractured and collapsed vertebra (spinal bone). The cement strengthens the bone and decreases pain from the fracture.

• In kyphoplasty, a balloon is used to create a cavity to inject the cement into. This procedure is designed to relieve pain. It can also improve spinal deformities from the fractures.

Both procedures are used to decrease pain from a vertebral fracture. Kyphoplasty also restores the height of the bone. This can decrease the spinal deformity caused by the fracture.

Other treatment for vertebral fracture may include nonsurgical treatments, such as bed rest, bracing, and pain medicines.

Compression Fracture © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, your doctor will review a list of possible complications which may include:

• Leakage of the cement into the spinal canal or into adjacent veins
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Increased back pain
• Fracture of adjacent vertebra or ribs
• Numbness, tingling
• Paralysis

Your doctor may feel that the risks of these procedures are too great if you have:

• Vertebral fractures that extend into the spinal canal area
• Radiculopathy—irritation of a nerve root in the area of the fracture that often causes areas of numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg
• Current infection
• Bleeding disorders
• Unusually soft or...