More than 44 million Americans—mostly women—have or are at risk for developing osteoporosis, a thinning and weakening of the bones that increases the chance of fractures, especially of the spine, hip, and wrist. One in two women and one in four men over the age of 50 will have a fracture related to osteoporsosis during their lifetime.
Cooper University Hospital is one of a few centers in South Jersey offering kyphoplasty for spine fractures [vertebral compression fractures], the most common type of osteoporotic fracture. Spine fractures can lead to chronic pain, long-term disability, and even death.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) in the spine, often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or cancer. The goal of the procedure is to stabilize the fracture, restore vertebral height, and relieve pain.
What Is a Vertebral Compression Fracture?
A vertebral compression fracture occurs when one of the bones in your spine (vertebrae) collapses, often due to weakened bones from osteoporosis. This can lead to severe back pain, loss of height, spinal deformity, and reduced mobility.
How Kyphoplasty Works
Kyphoplasty involves the following steps:
- A small incision is made in the back.
- A narrow tube is inserted into the fractured vertebra under X-ray guidance.
- A special balloon is inserted through the tube and inflated to gently elevate the collapsed vertebra and restore height.
- Once the vertebra is in position, the balloon is removed, and the cavity is filled with bone cement to stabilize the bone.
The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour per vertebra and is often performed on an outpatient basis.
Benefits of Kyphoplasty
-
Rapid pain relief
-
Improved mobility
-
Restoration of vertebral height
-
Short recovery time
-
Minimally invasive with low complication rates
Who Is a Candidate?
Kyphoplasty is typically recommended for patients who:
-
Have recent, painful vertebral compression fractures
-
Do not respond to conservative treatments (e.g., bed rest, pain medication)
-
Have fractures caused by osteoporosis, cancer, or trauma
-
Are at risk of spinal deformity or further vertebral collapse
Risks and Considerations
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks, including:
-
Infection
-
Bleeding
-
Cement leakage
-
Nerve damage (rare)
-
Allergic reaction to materials
Your healthcare provider will evaluate your medical history and imaging studies to determine if kyphoplasty is appropriate for you.
Recovery
Most patients experience significant pain relief within 24–48 hours. You may return to light activities within a few days but should avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting until cleared by your doctor.
Make an Appointment With a Kyphoplasty Expert at Cooper.
To learn more about the services available for Kyphoplasty at Cooper or to request an appointment, please call 800.8.COOPER (800.826.6737) or use our online appointment request form.