Description of therapy - aims of kyphoplasty:
Aim of balloon kyphoplasty is to re-erect and stabilize a compressed vertebral body. This is important as otherwise micro movements will irritate the periosteum (the membrane that lines the outer surface of all bones) and this is a main cause of severe pain. The intervention is carried out in a position such that the curvature of the spine is already leading to erection and decompression of the vertebral body.
Now two working cannulas are inserted through a skin incision from the back under x-ray control. The cannulas are pushed forward up to the vertebral body and a balloon catheter is inserted through each of them. They are then inflated under x-ray control.
In most cases this leads to a symmetrical height restoration of the vertebral body – provided that the sintering fracture has not yet firmly grown together in its malposition. After draining of the liquid from the balloon catheters a defined cavity will remain in the vertebral bone. Through the working cannulas it can be filled with viscous bone cement – this will be done again under x-ray control. Within a few minutes the bone cement will harden and permanently stabilize the vertebral body. Further fractures of this vertebra will thus be prevented.
All advantages at a glance:
- DModern balloon kyphoplasty provides for immediate pain relief and unrestricted function of the affected lumbar spine segment
- The intervention is carried out under local anesthesia or short general anesthesia. Patients will benefit from immediate pain relief and quick return to normal activities of daily living.
- You will be able to stand or walk by yourself directly after the intervention
- Fast pain relief and recovery
- Short hospital stay: in general you may go back home four days after the intervention
- Already six weeks after the surgery you may largely resume your usual activities
- Short recovery times and fast return to work (4-6 weeks)
- A high success rate of about 95%