Kyphoplasty

New Help for Aging Backs

There may be a way to end the pain of vertebral compression fractures (VCF) with a minimally invasive technique. Brotman Medical Center is now offering Kyphoplasty, a relatively new procedure, which does just that, for some patients with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is becoming more common as the population ages. It is one of the major causes of bone fractures among postmenopausal women and older people.With osteoporosis, loss of bone mass or density and structural deterioration of bone tissue makes bones weak and susceptible to fractures. When osteoporosis affects the spine, it may lead to collapsed vertebrae, which may cause severe back pain, height loss or stooped posture (kyphosis).

Kyphoplasty may correct the spinal deformity associated with vertebral fractures with minimally invasive technique. Height may be restored almost to normal with this procedure, and pain relief can be rapid.

To perform the procedure, the patient is put to sleep and a puncture incision, in the back, is made by the physician. An orthopedic balloon is inserted and gradually inflated within the vertebra to move the bone into its normal position and create a cavity. Bone cement is then injected into the cavity to stabilize the vertebrae. The cement acts as a permanent support and can help to reduce pain.

May is Osteoporosis Prevention Month, a reminder that prevention is preferable to treatment for this condition, which is difficult to reverse. Therefore, check with your physician to get a "DEXA" bone density study. Kyphoplasty, however, may be used to treat one of the disease's more painful effects.

For referral to a physician qualified to perform kyphoplasty, please call 310-836-7000.