How Kyphoplasty Works

KYPHOPLASTY

Step 1: Balloon Placement With a hollow instrument, a narrow pathway is made into the fractured bone. A small orthopaedic balloon is guided through the instrument into the vertebra. The incision site is approximately 1 cm in length.
Step 2: Full inflation Next, the balloon is carefully inflated in an attempt to raise the collapsed vertebra and return it to its normal position.
Step 3: Void created within the vertebral body Once the vertebra is in the correct position, the balloon is deflated and removed. This process creates a void (space) within the vertebral body. The void functions as a “container” for the bone cement.
Step 4: Filling the cavity with cement The void is filled with bone cement to stabilize the fracture.
Step 5: Internal cast The cement forms an internal cast that holds the vertebra in place. Generally, the procedure is done on both sides of the vertebra.