Kyphoplasty is a procedure that is used for compression fractures, which occur in the spine usually as a result of osteoporosis. In the past elderly patients with compression fractures have been sent home with a brace, placed on pain medication, or sometimes even admitted to nursing homes because of the inability to care for themselves after these fractures. Most of these fractures can still be treated conservatively. However, some patients are simply in too much pain and are, therefore, unable to care for themselves. For those patients kyphoplasty offers a minimally invasive way of reducing the fracture and stabilizing the area so that almost immediate pain relief is obtained.

The procedure is done by placing two needles through the skin and into the fractured vertebra using live x-ray guidance. Two balloons are then inserted through the needles and inflated to “push” the fracture back into place. This, again, is done under x-ray guidance to assure the correct position. After the fracture has been reduced the balloons are deflated and bone cement is used to fill the void. This cement becomes hard in minutes and provides immediate stability and therefore pain relief.  These patients are usually kept overnight and allowed to return home and back to regular activities the next morning. This has become one of the most common operations performed due to its widespread success.

Healthy bone	Osteoporotic bone