Kyphoplasty Procedure

Pain Management Treatment for Compression Fractures

If you experience a vertebral compression fracture, a minimally invasive procedure like kyphoplasty can relieve the pain and improve your mobility. At Commonwealth Pain & Spine, our interventional pain specialists and dual-board certified physicians perform kyphoplasty to help you find relief from fractures of the spinal vertebrae. These fractures can occur for various reasons, including osteoporosis, car accidents, or sports injuries. 

Who Can Benefit from Kyphoplasty?

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) occur when one or more vertebrae in the spine collapse, leading to severe pain and loss of height. While anyone can experience a VCF, certain individuals may benefit more from kyphoplasty:

• Older adults with osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones
• Those experiencing severe pain that interferes with daily life
• Patients whose fractures have not healed properly with conservative treatment
• Individuals with multiple VCFs that cause spinal deformity or loss of height

Some VCFs may heal on their own, but not always. Partnering with Commonwealth Pain & Spine will help you understand your VCF's cause and determine if kyphoplasty is suitable for you.

Choosing Kyphoplasty for Better Pain Management

While some vertebral compression fractures can heal on their own, the pain can be debilitating and affect your quality of life. With kyphoplasty, it’s possible to relieve your pain and enhance spinal stability. Patients also often see other benefits, including:

• Reduced need for pain medication
• Improved mobility and function
• Quicker return to daily activities
• Reduced risk of future fractures due to improved spinal alignment

Pain is common after a VCF, and at Commonwealth Pain & Spine, we aim to help you find relief! We offer various back pain treatments to suit your specific needs.

What You Can Expect During the Kyphoplasty Process

To get started, simply fill out our self-referral form! Our staff will connect with your PCP to obtain a referral and then reach out to you to schedule an appointment.

Here's what's typically involved with our kyphoplasty procedure:

1. Consultation: During your consultation, we'll review your medical history, symptoms, and past treatments to decide if kyphoplasty suits you. We'll also work to diagnose the cause of your VCF and the procedure's benefits.
2. Procedure Day: To start, our team will administer local or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will insert a thin needle into the affected vertebrae, place and inflate a balloon tamp to restore the vertebra's size and height, then deflate the balloon and fill the cavity with acrylic bone cement to prevent future collapse.
3. Relief: Pain relief from kyphoplasty is typically immediate or within 48 hours after the procedure. In some cases, it may take longer to experience relief, but most people report significant improvement in their pain levels.
4. Recovery: After kyphoplasty, you might have some swelling or discomfort where the injection was made. However, most people can go back to work and do their normal activities in just a few days. Our team will give you instructions for after the procedure and set up follow-up appointments to help you recover quickly.

With Commonwealth Pain & Spine as your partner in pain management, you can find relief from your VCF and get back to enjoying the activities you love!