Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are similar procedures. Both are performed through a hollow needle that is passed through the skin of your back into the fractured vertebra. In vertebroplasty, bone cement (called polymethylmethacrylate) is injected through the hollow needle into the fractured bone. In kyphoplasty, a balloon is first inserted and inflated to expand the compressed vertebra to its normal height before filling the space with bone cement. The procedures are repeated for each affected vertebra. The cement-strengthened vertebra allows you to stand straight, reduces your pain, and prevents further fractures. 

Without treatment, the fractures will eventually heal, but in a collapsed position. The benefit of kyphoplasty is that your vertebra is returned to normal position before the bone hardens. Patients who've had kyphoplasty report significantly less pain after treatment [1]. 

Studies show that people who get one osteoporotic fracture are 5 times more likely to develop additional fractures. It is important that people seek treatment for osteoporosis early, before fractures occur. 

Who is a candidate? 

Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty may be a treatment option if you have painful vertebral compression fractures from: 

• Osteoporosis (a depletion of calcium in bones)
• Metastatic tumor (cancer spread from another area)
• Multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow)
• Vertebral hemangioma (benign vascular tumor)

You may not be a candidate if you have: 

• Non-painful stable compression fractures
  
• Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
  
• Bleeding disorders
  
• Allergy to medications used during the procedure
  
• Fracture fragment or tumor in the spinal canal
  

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty will not improve old and chronic fractures, nor will they reduce back pain associated with poor posture and stooping forward. Traditional treatment used to involve waiting 4 to 6 weeks to see if patients improved on their own, but now it's believed that waiting allows the bone to harden, making vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty less effective. Many doctors are now suggesting vertebroplasty as soon as the first week after a fracture for some patients because the results are significantly better [2].

The surgical decision 

The surgeon will perform a complete medical history and physical exam. Diagnostic studies (MRI, CT, bone scan) may be included in your evaluation to make a diagnosis of vertebral compression fracture. Your surgeon will also determine if your spine is "stable" or "unstable" and will discuss with you all treatment options. 

What happens before surgery? 

You may be scheduled for presurgical tests (e.g., blood test, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray) several days before surgery. In the doctor's office you will fill out paperwork and sign consent forms so that your surgeon knows your medical history (allergies, medicines/vitamins, bleeding history, anesthesia reactions, previous surgeries, etc.). You should stop taking all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (Naproxin, Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, etc.) and aspirin one week before your surgery. 

Patients are admitted to the hospital the morning of the procedure. No food or drink is permitted past midnight the night before surgery. An intravenous (IV) line is placed in your arm. To minimize pain and discomfort, you will be given either general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep, or conscious sedation. Under conscious sedation you are awake, but feel no pain and may have no memory of the procedure. 

Depending on the vertebral level, a single needle may be used. The surgeon may elect to insert the needle slightly above the pedicle if the diameter of the pedicle is too small.

What happens during surgery? 

There are five steps to the procedure, which generally takes 1 hour for each vertebra treated. 

Step 1: prepare the patient 

You will lie on the operative table and be given conscious sedation. Once sedated, you will be positioned on your stomach with your chest and sides supported by pillows. Depending on the section of the spine (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) where the compressed vertebra is located, your back or neck will be cleansed and prepped. 

Step 2: insert the needle 

A local anesthetic is injected in the area where a small, half-inch skin incision will be made over the fractured bone. With the aid of a fluoroscope (a special X-ray machine), two large diameter needles are inserted into the vertebral body through the pedicles (Fig 2). The fluoroscopy monitor allows the surgeon to see exactly where the needles are positioned and how far they are inserted. The needles are advanced through the bone using either a twisting motion or a tapping mallet. The needles are angled to avoid the spinal cord. Depending on the vertebral level, a single needle may be used. 



Step 3: restore vertebra height (kyphoplasty only) 

If the vertebra is significantly wedge-shaped, the surgeon will insert inflatable balloons through the needles into the vertebra. To insert the balloon tamps, the surgeon first uses a drill to create a working channel. The surgeon carefully inflates the balloons, raising the vertebra back to its normal height (Fig. 3). The amount of height restored depends on the age of the fracture. The balloons are deflated and withdrawn, leaving a space in the middle of the vertebra. This procedure is called kyphoplasty because it reduces unwanted kyphosis, or forward curvature, before the bone is stabilized. 

Step 4: inject bone cement 

Bone cement is slowly injected under pressure, filling the deepest area first, then withdrawing the needle slightly to fill top areas (Fig 4). The pressure and amount of cement injected are closely monitored to avoid leakage into unwanted areas. While complete filling of the vertebral body is ideal, it is not always possible or necessary for pain relief. 

Step 5: closure 

The needles are withdrawn promptly before the cement hardens. The small skin incision is closed with steri-strips. You will not be moved from the operating table until the remaining cement in the mixing bowl hardens. 

What happens after surgery? 

You will return to the recovery area. Your blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration will be monitored, and your pain will be addressed. You'll remain lying down for the first hour after the procedure. After 1 hour you may sit up. After 2 hours you may get up and walk. Most patients stay in the hospital overnight for observation and are released the next morning. Some patients can be released home the same day. 

Discharge instructions 

Discomfort 

After surgery, pain is managed with narcotic medication. Because narcotic pain pills are addictive, they are used for a limited period. Their regular use may also cause constipation, so drink lots of water and eat high fiber foods. Laxatives (e.g., Dulcolax, Senokot, Milk of Magnesia) can be bought without a prescription. Thereafter, pain is managed with acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol). 

Activity 

Take it easy the first 24 hours after the procedure. Gradually return to your normal activities. An exercise program of gentle stretching, conditioning, and strengthening may be prescribed. Learn the proper way to stand, sit, sleep, and lift. Generally maintain a neutral spine (see Posture for a Healthy Back). 

Bathing/Incision Care 

Keep the incision covered and dry for 24 hours. Afterward you may shower, gently pat dry the steri-strips that may cover the incision. Do not soak in a tub bath. 

When to Call Your Doctor 

• If your temperature exceeds 101 °F or if the incision begins to separate or show signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pain, or drainage. 
• If you experience difficulty walking or bowel or bladder problems. 

What are the results? 

The sooner a fracture is repaired, the better the results. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are fairly new procedures that have only been available since 1984, so long-term results are not yet available. Vertebroplasy relieves pain in 75-90% of patients; however, it does not correct the wedge deformity, which can lead to repeat fractures. 

In a recent study of kyphoplasty, pain levels in patients dropped from an average of 8.6 before surgery (on a 10-point scale) to 2.1 three months after surgery [1]. Additionally, of 51 patients who either couldn't move around on their own or required assistance to move, only 8 patients couldn't move around without assistance after three months. This reduction in pain and increased ability to move significantly improved the patients' quality of life. Other studies in cancer patients with multiple myeloma have shown similar results. 

What are the risks? 

No surgery is without risks. General complications of any surgery include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and reactions to anesthesia. Complications in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures is less than 2%, and 5 to 10% in the treatment of tumors. The following are specific risks that should be considered: 

Bone cement leakage. There is a slight possibility that bone cement can leak along the outside of the needle into surrounding soft tissues. This can also happen when the needle is removed from the vertebra. 

Cement can leak into the veins surrounding the vertebra. The surgeon closely watches the fluoroscope and stops injecting cement if this begins to happen. Cement can leak into the neural foramen where the spinal nerve exits the spinal cord. This can cause nerve pain (radiculopathy) and may require further treatment. 

Nerve damage. Any operation on the spine comes with the risk of damaging the spinal nerves or cord, which can cause numbness or paralysis.

Clinical trials 

Clinical trials are research studies in which new treatments—drugs, diagnostics, procedures, and other therapies—are tested in people to see if they are safe and effective. Research is always being conducted to improve the standard of medical care. Information about current clinical trials, including eligibility, protocol, and locations, are found on the Web. Studies can be sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (see clinicaltrials.gov) as well as private industry and pharmaceutical companies. 

If you have any questions, please call us at 209-349-8428.