Spinal compression fractures are fractures of the vertebrae, caused by compression or excessive pushing of one bone against another. These are usually seen in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Spinal compression fractures can be the result of a traumatic injury or osteoporosis.
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures.
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
Vertebroplasty involves injection of a cement mixture with the help of image guidance into the fractured bone.
On the other hand, during kyphoplasty, a balloon is first inserted into the fractured bone to create a space. This space is filled with the bone cement to allow the fractured vertebra to heal.
Candidates for Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
These two procedures are ideal for patients who are –
- elderly or frail and can have an impaired bone healing after a fracture
- suffering from vertebral compression due to a malignant tumor
- suffering from osteoporosis due to long term steroid treatment or a metabolic disorder
For the procedure to be successful, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty should be completed within eight weeks of the acute fracture.
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty treatments are minimally invasive, safe and highly effective treatments that can help the patient resume normal activities by alleviating a pain faced after spinal compression fracture.