How Balloon Kyphoplasty Helps Relieve Back Pain
What Kind of Back Pain Does Ballon Kyphoplasty Treat?
The adult spine is a column of 33 bones that protects the spinal cord and enables us to stand upright. Each bony segment of the spine is referred to as a vertebra (two or more are called vertebrae).
Having a spinal fracture means that one of the vertebra has either cracked or collapsed. Like other bones in the body, the extent of the break can vary, from a hairline fracture to a complete collapse of the vertebral body.
When a bone breaks, localized swelling can occur, and pain is common. In the spine, swelling and misalignment can irritate adjacent tissue and nerves. Damage to even one vertebra can alter the alignment of your spine, upsetting the distribution of weight along the spinal column and setting the stage for another fracture.
What Are The Benefits of Balloon Kyphoplasty for Chronic Back Pain?
Balloon Kyphoplasty can reduce or eliminate your back pain from a spinal fracture, as well as restore vertebral body height and proper alignment of your spine. Early and effective treatment (fixing the broken bone) may reduce the consequences of spinal fractures, especially those associated with other treatments, for example, prolonged bed rest or use of analgesics (pain relievers).
Other benefits include sustained improvement in mobility, improvement in ability to perform activities of daily living, and improved quality of life.
What is the Ballon Kyphoplasty Procedure?
Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can repair spinal fractures. It takes about an hour per fracture level to treat a fracture with balloon kyphoplasty, and the procedure is generally done on an outpatient basis.
4 Steps of the Balloon Kyphoplasty Procedure:
Step 1: With a hollow instrument, a narrow pathway is made into the fractured bone. A small orthopedic balloon is guided through the instrument into the vertebra. The incision site is approximately 1 centimeter in length.
Step 2: Next, the balloon is carefully inflated in an attempt to raise the collapsed vertebra and return it to its normal position. Once the vertebra is in the correct position, the balloon is deflated and removed. This process creates a void (space) within the vertebral body. The void functions as a “container” for the bone cement.
Step 3: The void is then filled with bone cement to stabilize the fracture.
Step 4: The cement forms an internal cast that holds the vertebra in place. Generally, the procedure is done on both sides of the vertebra.
Kyphoplasty procedures typically result in greater than 90% of patients experiencing near-complete or complete pain relief.
What is an Interventional Radiologist?
An interventional radiologist is a medical doctor with additional education and training (fellowship) above and beyond the required four years of a basic diagnostic radiology residency. All of our interventional radiologists are board certified by the American Board of Radiology. Learn more about ushere.
Don’t suffer from Acute Back Pain and longer.
Our Indianapolis radiologists offer state-of-the-art, minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedures, and have accumulated one of the largest single center practices in the country. Interventional Physicians of Indiana is a leading provider of kyphoplasty and back pain management services and have served Central Indiana since 2003.
