Kyphoplasty—a new
treatment for osteoporotic fractures
Introduction to kyphoplasty
The traditional treatment for fractures of the spine
caused by osteoporosis has included pain reduction (medication),
bed rest and bracing. In 1984, a surgical technique
designed to reduce the pain and loss of function called "Percutaneous
Vertebroplasty" was developed in France. In 1998,
the Food and Drug Administration cleared a special
balloon, the KyphX Inflatable Bone Tamp, for use in
reducing (setting) fragility fractures to help them
heal and creating a cavity in the soft inner bone in
the vertebral body.
Over 195,000 fractures have been
treated with balloon kyphoplasty as of October 31,
2005, and approximately 7,400 physicians worldwide
have been trained to do the procedure.
What is an osteoporotic fracture?
Osteoporosis—the loss of calcium from bones resulting
in weakened bone structure—increases the risk of
fracture of vertebral body (the thick block of bone
at the front of the vertebrae)
In this type of fracture, the top of the vertebral
body collapses down with more collapse in front thus
producing the "wedged" vertebrae, the "dowagers"
hump and shortened height
The resulting change in height and spinal alignment
can lead to serious health problems, including:
Also, studies show that a first osteoporotic fracture
makes it five times more likely further fractures will
occur. That is why it is important that patients seek
medical treatment for osteoporosis before it
reaches the fracture stage. (See Diagnosis
and treatment for osteoporosis.)
Kyphoplasty compared with vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are both minimally invasive
surgical procedures for treating osteoporotic fractures
where a cement-like material is injected directly into
the fractured bone. This stabilizes the fracture and
provides immediate pain relief in many cases.
Kyphoplasty includes an additional step. Prior to injecting
the cement-like material, a special balloon is inserted
and gently inflated inside the fractured vertebrae.
The goal of this step is to restore height to the bone
thus reducing deformity of the spine. Most patients
return to their normal daily activities after either
procedure.
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