Kyphoplasty & Vertebroplasty
Introduction
Vertebral augmentation refers to a set of minimally invasive procedures designed to stabilize and strengthen fractured vertebrae in the spine, often resulting from conditions such as osteoporosis, spinal tumors, or traumatic injuries. These procedures aim to reduce pain, restore vertebral height, and improve the patient's overall quality of life. There are two primary types of vertebral augmentation procedures:
- Kyphoplasty: This procedure not only stabilizes the fractured vertebra but also aims to correct any deformities and restore the height of the vertebra. It involves the insertion of a balloon into the vertebra to create a cavity, which is then filled with bone cement.
- Vertebroplasty: This procedure focuses on stabilizing the fractured vertebra without attempting to restore vertebral height. It involves the direct injection of bone cement into the fractured vertebra.
Kyphoplasty
- Indications: Kyphoplasty is primarily indicated for treating vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis or spinal tumors. It aims to reduce pain, stabilize the fracture, and potentially restore vertebral height.
- Technique: The procedure is minimally invasive. It involves making a small incision in the back, inserting a narrow tube through the pedicle into the fractured vertebra under X-ray guidance, and then inflating a special balloon to create a cavity within the vertebra. This cavity is then filled with bone cement, which hardens quickly, stabilizing the fracture.
- Goals: The primary goals are pain relief, stabilization of the fracture, and restoration of vertebral height.
- Medications Used: Bone cement, typically polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), is used.
- Duration of Effects: Pain relief can be immediate, and the effects can last for several months.
- Patient Experience: Patients will be positioned comfortably, and the area will be cleaned with antiseptic. The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Patients may experience some soreness where the needle entered their back, but this usually lasts only a few days.
- Side Effects/Complications: Potential side effects include infection, bleeding, and cement leakage, which can cause new symptoms if the cement presses on the spinal cord or nerves. Rare complications include increased back pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness due to nerve damage.
Vertebroplasty
- Indications: Vertebroplasty is indicated for treating vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis or spinal tumors. It is used when conservative treatments like rest, medications, and physical therapy have not provided relief.
- Technique: Vertebroplasty is also minimally invasive. It involves injecting bone cement directly into the fractured vertebra under X-ray guidance. Unlike kyphoplasty, it does not involve the use of a balloon to create a cavity.
- Goals: The primary goals are pain relief and stabilization of the fracture.
- Medications Used: Bone cement, typically polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), is used.
- Duration of Effects: Pain relief can be immediate, and the effects can last for several months.
- Patient Experience: Patients will be positioned comfortably, and the area will be cleaned with antiseptic. The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Patients may experience some soreness where the needle entered their back, but this usually lasts only a few days.
- Side Effects/Complications: Potential side effects include infection, bleeding, and cement leakage, which can cause new symptoms if the cement presses on the spinal cord or nerves. Rare complications include increased back pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness due to nerve damage.
Patient-Centered Care
At the Institute of Interventional Pain Management, we are dedicated to helping patients with compression fractures by offering vertebral body augmentation through Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty. Our experienced team ensures that each procedure is performed with the utmost care and precision, providing relief and improving the quality of life for our patients.