When you have back pain caused by fractures, breaks, or weakened vertebrae, you could find relief with kyphoplasty. Jason Song, MD, PhD, uses the most innovative, minimally invasive techniques available, including kyphoplasty, to treat spinal conditions at Palm Tree Interventional Pain Management in St. Cloud, and Kissimmee, Florida. To see if kyphoplasty can alleviate your back pain, call Palm Tree Interventional Pain Management or schedule an appointment online today.
Kyphoplasty is a surgical procedure for a compression fracture in your spine. When you experience a compression fracture in a vertebra, one of your spinal bones, it can cause pain, loss of height, spinal deformity, and restricted mobility.
The goal of kyphoplasty is to restore height in the damaged vertebra and stabilize the bones in your spine to relieve your back pain.
Dr. Song might recommend kyphoplasty if your bones have been weakened by cancer or osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that develops when you lose bone density, causing fragile and structurally weak bones. Sometimes, kyphoplasty can also be preventive treatment.
If your compression fracture doesn't respond to conservative treatments, like pain medications, rest, and bracing, Dr. Song might recommend kyphoplasty. Kyphoplasty typically isn't an option for spinal issues like herniated discs, arthritis, or scoliosis.
During kyphoplasty, you lie on your stomach while Dr. Song uses special X-ray guidance, known as fluoroscopy, to place a thin tube called a probe into your damaged vertebra. With the probe in place, Dr. Song drills a small hole in the bone to insert a deflated balloon.
To restore height and stability to your vertebra, Dr. Song inflates the balloon to the proper height and fills it with orthopedic cement. The substance, called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), hardens within minutes, and then he removes the probe and deflated balloon.
The last step of this procedure involves closing your incision with surgical glue.
Kyphoplasty usually lasts less than an hour, but it can take longer if Dr. Song treats more than one vertebra at once.
Dr. Song performs kyphoplasty as an outpatient procedure, so you typically go home within an hour or two after your surgery. However, you should plan on having someone drive you home. You can usually resume regular activities immediately, except for lifting heavy objects.
In most cases, you can expect to have immediate pain relief after having kyphoplasty. It’s normal to have some tenderness in the treatment site after your procedure, but you should start feeling better within 48 hours.
To see if kyphoplasty can relieve your back pain, call Palm Tree Interventional Pain Management or schedule an appointment online today.
