Kyphoplasty Specialist

What is kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure. Your pain management specialist injects spinal cement into your vertebra to restore damage caused by fractures. This treatment reduces your pain. They could use a balloon-like device during a vertebroplasty procedure to create space for the cement.

The main benefits of kyphoplasty are less back pain, a lowered risk of further injuries, and a better quality of life.

Why might I need kyphoplasty?

You could be a candidate for kyphoplasty if you have damaged vertebrae caused by cancer, osteoporosis, or trauma, and it’s painful or prevents you from moving efficiently.

The North Houston Pain Center experts review your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history to determine if kyphoplasty is right for you. They’ll order blood tests and an imaging procedure like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to detect or rule out compression fractures and their underlying cause.

What should I expect during the procedure?

Right before the procedure, your pain management specialist gives you medicine to numb the treatment area and relax you or make you sleep.

Using X-ray guidance, they insert a needle through your back muscles into the bone. They inflate the balloon to expand or reshape your vertebra and inject the cement into it before removing the needle. No stitches are needed. Your procedure should take less than an hour, but every patient is different.

What happens after kyphoplasty?

After undergoing kyphoplasty, plan to rest in the recovery area. You might go home the same day, or you could stay overnight in the surgery center. Have a family member or friend drive you home. You can expect some soreness, redness, or swelling at the treatment site that can last a few days. Avoid strenuous activities until your pain specialist gives you the OK.

You should quickly notice less back pain after undergoing kyphoplasty. If your doctor asks you to, take medications or multivitamin supplements to strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of further fractures.

To learn more about kyphoplasty at the North Houston Pain Center and find out if it’s right for you, call the office today or schedule an appointment online.