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Fluoroscopy Guided

Kyphoplasty

Image-Guided Vertebral Stabilization for Painful Compression Fractures

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive vertebral augmentation procedure used in carefully selected patients with painful vertebral compression fractures. Under fluoroscopy guidance, a specialized balloon is used within the fractured vertebral body before medical bone cement is placed to help stabilize the affected vertebra and potentially reduce fracture-related pain.

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Fluoroscopy guided kyphoplasty for a painful vertebral compression fracture
Treatment Type
Vertebral Augmentation
Target Area
Vertebral Body
Guidance
Fluoroscopy Guided
Procedure
Minimally Invasive
Kyphoplasty treatment for a painful vertebral compression fracture

What Is Kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive vertebral augmentation procedure used in selected patients with painful vertebral compression fractures.

Vertebral compression fractures occur when the vertebral body weakens and partially collapses. Osteoporosis is a common cause, although fractures can also occur following trauma or because of certain conditions that affect bone strength.

During kyphoplasty, the affected vertebra is identified using fluoroscopy. A specialized needle is introduced into the vertebral body, and a small balloon is carefully expanded within the fractured bone.

Balloon expansion creates a cavity within the vertebral body and may help restore some vertebral body height in selected fractures. The balloon is then removed and the cavity is filled with medical-grade bone cement.

Once the cement hardens, it can help stabilize the treated vertebra. The main goal of kyphoplasty is to reduce pain associated with the fracture and support improved function in appropriately selected patients.

Targets painful vertebral fractures
Uses fluoroscopic guidance
Balloon-assisted vertebral augmentation
Uses medical bone cement
Helps stabilize the treated vertebra
May reduce fracture-related pain
The Procedure

How Does Kyphoplasty Work?

01
Clinical Assessment

Your specialist reviews your symptoms, medical history, physical examination and relevant imaging to determine whether the vertebral fracture is the likely source of pain and whether kyphoplasty may be appropriate.

02
Positioning & Preparation

You are positioned appropriately, usually lying face down. The treatment area is cleaned and local anaesthesia is used. Sedation or other anaesthetic support may be considered depending on the clinical situation.

03
Fluoroscopy Guidance

Real-time X-ray imaging is used to identify the affected vertebra and guide the specialized access needle into the appropriate position within the vertebral body.

04
Balloon Expansion

A small balloon is carefully expanded within the fractured vertebral body. In suitable fractures, this can create a controlled cavity and may help restore some vertebral body height.

05
Cement Placement

The balloon is removed and medical-grade bone cement is carefully introduced into the cavity under fluoroscopic monitoring. The cement hardens and helps stabilize the treated vertebral body.

Potential Benefits of Kyphoplasty
Fracture-Related Pain Relief

Appropriately selected patients may experience reduction in pain associated with a painful vertebral compression fracture.

Vertebral Stabilization

Hardened bone cement can help stabilize the treated vertebral body after the fracture.

Balloon-Assisted Technique

Balloon expansion creates a controlled cavity for cement placement and may restore some vertebral body height in selected fractures.

Image-Guided Precision

Fluoroscopy allows the specialist to monitor needle positioning, balloon expansion and cement placement during the procedure.

Minimally Invasive Approach

Kyphoplasty is performed through small access points rather than conventional open spinal surgery.

Support for Improved Function

When fracture-related pain improves, some patients may find it easier to resume movement and daily activities.

Kyphoplasty is not appropriate for every vertebral fracture. Careful diagnosis, imaging assessment and patient selection are essential.
You May Be a Candidate If:

Kyphoplasty may be considered for carefully selected patients with a painful vertebral compression fracture when the fracture is believed to be the main source of pain.

Your doctor may consider the procedure if:

  • You have a painful vertebral compression fracture confirmed through appropriate clinical and imaging assessment.
  • Your fracture is associated with significant, persistent pain affecting movement or daily activities.
  • Conservative treatment has not provided sufficient symptom relief.
  • The fracture characteristics and vertebral anatomy are considered suitable for kyphoplasty.
  • You have a vertebral compression fracture related to osteoporosis or another condition affecting bone strength, when vertebral augmentation is clinically appropriate.
  • Your specialist determines that the potential benefits outweigh the risks for your individual condition.
Not every compression fracture requires kyphoplasty. Many fractures can improve with appropriate conservative management. The decision should be based on symptoms, imaging findings, fracture characteristics and overall health.

Conditions Where Kyphoplasty May Be Considered

Kyphoplasty is primarily considered for selected painful vertebral compression fractures after detailed clinical and imaging evaluation.

Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture

Weakening of the vertebra due to osteoporosis can result in painful compression fractures. Kyphoplasty may be considered in selected symptomatic cases.

Painful Vertebral Compression Fractures

Persistent pain directly related to a vertebral compression fracture may require specialist assessment for vertebral augmentation.

Selected Vertebral Body Collapse

Certain painful compression fractures involving collapse of the vertebral body may be evaluated for kyphoplasty when the fracture pattern is suitable.

Selected Traumatic Compression Fractures

Certain stable traumatic vertebral compression fractures may require specialist assessment to determine whether vertebral augmentation is appropriate.

Selected Pathological Fractures

In carefully selected patients, kyphoplasty may be considered for painful vertebral fractures associated with certain conditions affecting bone strength.

Persistent Fracture-Related Pain

Patients with significant ongoing pain attributable to a vertebral compression fracture may be evaluated for vertebral augmentation.

Why Choose Vedant Pain Management Clinic for Kyphoplasty?

Detailed Assessment

Your symptoms, fracture history, examination findings and relevant imaging are reviewed before treatment is considered.

Fluoroscopy Guidance

Real-time X-ray imaging helps guide needle placement, balloon expansion and cement delivery during the procedure.

Careful Patient Selection

Kyphoplasty is considered only when clinical and imaging findings support the potential value of vertebral augmentation.

Personalized Care

Your treatment plan is based on the fracture characteristics, symptoms, medical history and individual clinical needs.

Before Kyphoplasty

Before the procedure, your pain specialist may:

  • Review your symptoms, medical history and fracture history.
  • Perform a physical and neurological examination.
  • Review relevant X-rays, CT scans, MRI or other imaging studies.
  • Confirm that the vertebral fracture is likely to be the source of your pain.
  • Assess the age, location and characteristics of the fracture.
  • Review medications, allergies and relevant medical conditions.
  • Discuss the expected benefits, alternatives and potential risks of kyphoplasty.
  • Provide specific instructions regarding medications, fasting and preparation when applicable.

Your doctor will determine whether kyphoplasty is appropriate for your fracture and overall health.

Patient consulting a pain specialist before kyphoplasty treatment
After Kyphoplasty

After the procedure, you may be monitored for a period before discharge. Your recovery instructions will depend on the treated vertebra, your medical condition and the technique used.

You may be advised to:

  • Follow the activity instructions provided by your doctor.
  • Avoid strenuous activity until your specialist advises that it is appropriate.
  • Monitor your pain and report significant changes or new symptoms.
  • Take prescribed medications according to your doctor's instructions.
  • Follow recommended osteoporosis management and fracture-prevention measures when applicable.
  • Attend follow-up appointments as advised.

The timing and degree of pain improvement vary between patients. Some appropriately selected patients may experience improvement relatively soon after treatment, while others may have a more gradual recovery.

Risks & Considerations

Kyphoplasty is minimally invasive but, like any medical procedure, it carries potential risks. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, temporary or persistent pain, medication reactions and complications related to the bone cement.

Cement leakage outside the vertebral body is a known potential complication. Small leaks may occur without causing symptoms, but leakage into certain surrounding structures can potentially result in nerve irritation, spinal cord compression or vascular complications.

Other potential complications may include injury to surrounding tissues, fracture of adjacent vertebrae and, rarely, serious complications related to cement entering the circulation.

Fluoroscopy is used to monitor needle placement, balloon expansion and cement delivery, but imaging guidance cannot eliminate every procedural risk.

Kyphoplasty does not treat the underlying osteoporosis. Patients with osteoporosis may need ongoing bone-health assessment and treatment to reduce the risk of future fractures.

Seek medical attention promptly if you experience severe or worsening pain, new weakness or numbness, difficulty walking, fever, spreading redness or swelling, chest pain, breathing difficulty, loss of bladder or bowel control, or other concerning symptoms after the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive vertebral augmentation procedure used in selected patients with painful vertebral compression fractures. A small balloon is used within the fractured vertebral body before bone cement is placed to help stabilize the vertebra.
Why is Kyphoplasty performed?
Kyphoplasty may be considered when a painful vertebral compression fracture remains significantly symptomatic despite appropriate conservative treatment and the patient is considered suitable for vertebral augmentation.
Is Kyphoplasty performed under fluoroscopy?
Yes. Fluoroscopy is commonly used to guide needle placement, monitor balloon expansion and observe the placement of bone cement within the treated vertebral body.
Who may benefit from Kyphoplasty?
Carefully selected patients with a painful vertebral compression fracture confirmed through appropriate clinical and imaging assessment may be considered. Suitability depends on the fracture characteristics, symptoms and overall medical condition.
Can Kyphoplasty restore vertebral height?
Balloon expansion during kyphoplasty may restore some vertebral body height in selected fractures. The amount of correction varies according to the fracture, treatment timing and individual anatomy.
What is the difference between Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty?
Both procedures involve placing bone cement into a fractured vertebral body. Kyphoplasty uses balloon expansion to create a cavity before cement placement, while vertebroplasty generally involves direct cement injection without balloon expansion.
Does Kyphoplasty cure osteoporosis?
No. Kyphoplasty treats the consequences of a selected vertebral compression fracture but does not treat the underlying osteoporosis. Appropriate bone-health management may still be required.
How soon can pain improve after Kyphoplasty?
Pain improvement varies between patients. Some appropriately selected patients may experience substantial improvement relatively soon after the procedure, while others may have a more gradual recovery.
What are the risks of Kyphoplasty?
Potential risks include infection, bleeding, medication reactions, cement leakage, nerve or spinal cord complications and injury to surrounding structures. Serious complications are uncommon but can occur.
Can Kyphoplasty treat ordinary back pain?
No. Kyphoplasty is not a general treatment for nonspecific back pain. It is intended for selected patients whose symptoms are associated with an appropriate vertebral compression fracture.

Persistent Pain From a Vertebral Compression Fracture?

Persistent pain after a vertebral compression fracture may require detailed clinical and imaging assessment. If conservative treatment has not provided sufficient relief, kyphoplasty may be considered for selected patients.
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