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.

 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.