Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment that can repair fractures in the spine caused by osteoporosis, cancer or benign lesions. During the procedure, orthopedic balloons are used to gently elevate the fractured vertebra in an attempt to return to the correct position. The bone cement is injected to stabilize the fracture. Kyphoplasty with a balloon takes up to one hour per level of fracture treated. The patient could be admitted in the hospital or the procedure might be performed on an outpatient basis, depending on your general health status as determined by your doctor.

In a clinical study, balloon kyphoplasty was shown to be more effective than non-surgical care for the treatment of acute vertebral compression fractures. Patients treated with balloon kyphoplasty had a faster and greater improvement in the relief of back pain, back function and quality of life in the month following surgery. The benefits of balloon kyphoplasty remained on average over 12 months. The general frequency of patients with collateral events did not differ between balloon kyphoplasty and non-surgical groups.

Benefits:

-3 times greater pain reduction one week after the procedure. And pain reduction maintained in a long term.

-4 times the higher quality of life one month after the procedure. Quality of life advantage remained after 2 years.

-5 more days out of bed in the first month and over 120 days out of bed in the first 2 years after the procedure.

Patients generally experience relief of fracture pain in the spine a week after the procedure. Your doctor will probably schedule a follow-up visit and explain the limitations, if any, on physical activity. Most patients return to their usual activity within a few days.