Kyphoplasty
Minimally Invasive Spine Fracture Repair For Pain Relief
At Medical Center Radiologists in Hampton Roads, we offer kyphoplasty, a procedure designed to relieve pain and restore spinal stability following vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis, tumors or trauma. Our team of fellowship trained interventional radiologists are specially trained in image‑guided spine interventions to ensure this safe and effective treatment for pain relief.
What Is Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty, often referred to as “balloon kyphoplasty,” is a minimally invasive technique. Under an X-ray technique called fluoroscopic, our IR guides a small needle through the back muscle and into the fractured vertebral body. We will then inflate a balloon to create space, which will then help lift the collapsed bone back to its former position. Our team will then inject a special bone cement into the cavity to add stability and prevent collapse.
Unlike vertebroplasty, which only uses cement, this minimally invasive treatment helps prevent the spine to curve or hunch (kyphosis). This not only improves your posture, but can also help preserve your breathing and your abnormal organ function.
Who Needs Kyphoplasty?
You may be a candidate for kyphoplasty if you continue to experience pain despite trying more conservative treatments or physical therapy, particularly if the pain is due to:
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes patients to experience bone weakening, which can cause the bones to more easily break. It can vary from mild in the early stages to more severe symptoms, such as back pain, hunched posture and height loss. Patients with osteoporosis may benefit from kyphoplasty for both pain relief and to help avoid spine curvature.
Benefits & Risks
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes patients to experience bone weakening, which can cause the bones to more easily break. It can vary from mild in the early stages to more severe symptoms, such as back pain, hunched posture and height loss. Patients with osteoporosis may benefit from kyphoplasty for both pain relief and to help avoid spine curvature.
What To Expect
Before the procedure, our IR will perform a physical exam and complete and review any X-ray, MRI or CT imaging that confirms the severity and location of the fracture, tumor or trauma. You may also need blood tests to assess your overall health and other factors, such as your anesthetic risk factors. We’ll also run through your medical history including current medications and allergies.
The Kyphoplasty Procedure In Hampton Roads, VA
Kyphoplasty is short and usually lasts around 30 to 60 minutes. For your convenience and comfort, we perform it on an outpatient basis, meaning you will return home that day.
Our team will administer anesthesia and position you so you are safely lying facing down. Using real‑time imaging, our IR will carefully insert and inflate the balloon using either one or two small entry points.
Once the balloon is in place, our IR gently injects cement to the bone, which helps hold the balloon in place. Because of how quickly the cement hardens and dries, there is no need for stitches.
After Your Procedure
Due to the minimally invasive and outpatient nature of the procedure, the majority of our patients will go home that same day. Typically, patients recovering from kyphoplasty can expect the following:
Kyphoplasty Recovery & Aftercare
While we will recommend some light movement during recovery, patients should avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for about 4 to 6 weeks. We may refer you to a physical therapist in order to help restore your mobility. At your follow-up appointment with our team, we will check in with you about your pain, which may or may not include further imaging.
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