Kyphoplasty may help when a recent vertebral compression fracture is causing persistent, focused back pain and non-surgical care hasn’t provided enough relief. Whether it fits depends on imaging, your symptoms, the age of the fracture, and your overall health.
What Does a Vertebral Compression Fracture Feel Like?
A compression fracture happens when a weakened vertebra cracks and loses height. Osteoporosis is a common cause, and you don’t always need a major fall for this kind of injury to happen.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that a weak vertebra can fracture during ordinary movements such as reaching, twisting, coughing, or sneezing. Pain is often concentrated in one area and gets worse when you stand, walk, roll over, or change positions.
This kind of pain can make it tough to get dressed, get out of bed, or even stand long enough to cook. An X-ray may show the compressed bone, and an MRI can help tell if the fracture is new or old.
What Happens During Kyphoplasty?
During kyphoplasty surgery, a doctor guides a hollow needle into the fractured vertebra. A small balloon creates a cavity, and bone cement is placed inside to support the damaged bone.
RadiologyInfo.org, a patient resource from the American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America, explains that imaging guidance is used throughout the procedure. Kyphoplasty is generally performed through a small opening rather than a large surgical incision.
How Do We Decide Whether Kyphoplasty Fits?
Your spine specialist will look for a clear link between your pain and a specific compression fracture. The evaluation may consider:
- when the pain began and whether movement makes it worse;
- X-ray or MRI findings and the age of the fracture;
- osteoporosis, cancer, medications, and your general health.
Many compression fractures improve with time, activity changes, medication, or bracing. Kyphoplasty may be considered when pain remains significant, and the exam and imaging support a painful fracture that the procedure can address.
Our interventional spine team includes Dr. Stephen Sirota, who is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and sports medicine and completed fellowship training in interventional spine procedures.
What Can’t Kyphoplasty Treat?
Kyphoplasty isn’t right for every kind of back pain. It won’t help if your pain is mainly from a herniated disc, muscle strain, arthritis, or nerve compression in another part of your spine.
Kyphoplasty also doesn’t treat the osteoporosis that weakened your bone or guarantee you won’t have another fracture. You may still need a bone-health evaluation and follow-up care after the fracture is treated.
FAQs
Is kyphoplasty only for fractures caused by osteoporosis?
No. Some vertebral compression fractures are related to cancer or other bone-weakening conditions. The cause and imaging findings help determine whether the procedure is appropriate.
Can an old compression fracture be treated with kyphoplasty?
It’s possible, but how old the fracture is makes a difference. Your MRI results and where you feel pain help your spine specialist decide if an older fracture is still active and causing problems.
Schedule a Compression Fracture Evaluation in Southaven
Our Southaven clinic and MRI & Imaging Center gives patients in Southaven and DeSoto County access to spine consultations and on-site diagnostic imaging at the same location. If focused back pain began suddenly or followed a minor movement, schedule an evaluation with Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians to find out whether a compression fracture may be involved.
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