Patients may feel a mild soreness due to the trochar passing in the soft tissue, but they can generally can resume regular activities within a day.It is important that the practitioner who performs the procedure to not only have sufficient experience, but also be able to handle any possible complications. There is always risk involved with this procedure. Especially since there is the possibility of the cement traveling along a fracture line backwards into the canal. Therefore, finding a qualified spine surgeon is very crucial. Spine Center of Texas has performed over one thousand kyphoplasties without a single devastating outcome. Don’t hesitate to contact us and inquire about our vast services. We can assure you that you’ll be getting the best care possible at Spine Center of Texas.
Spine Center of Texas Treatment Series: Kyphoplasty
Thousands of Americans suffering from compression fractures have greatly benefited from a revolutionary procedure called kyphoplasty.When a person’s spine fractures, it can cause pain that progresses over time. This compression fracture can lead to kyphosis, a postural deformity wherein the spine turns into an abnormal c- shape.
Kyphosis can progress and cause retropulsion (loss of balance in a backwards or posterior direction) of bone fragments in the spinal cord.Kyphoplasty is performed in order to (a) re-establish the vertebral body’s height back to its normal configuration that prevents postural deformity, (b) alleviate pain by preventing the fractured bone from moving around and irritating the backbone’s fibrous lining, and (c) stabilize the fracture by stopping its progression and retropulsion into the spinal cord.
During a kyphoplasty procedure, an IV is started, followed by sedation. Two live x-rays, a straight view and a lateral view, are used to identify the areas of interest. Then skin marks will be placed on your skin. A local anesthetic will be used to numb the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and periosteum over the bone. A device called a trochar is advanced carefully into the vertebral body through a structure called the pedicle. A balloon is then inflated under the live x-ray to assure proper placement and reestablishment of height. Depending on the location of the balloon, this may be repeated on the other side. This balloon creates a void in the bone. Cement is then injected into that void to stabilize the fracture. Careful attention is focused on assuring that the cement stays in the anterior two thirds of the vertebral body and that it crosses the mid-portion of the vertebral body. The cement dries within 10 minutes and the procedure is complete.
