Kyphoplasty Overview
Kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed in the operating room or a special procedure room. When brought to the operating or special procedure room, you are connected to monitoring equipment (EKG monitor, blood pressure cuff, and a blood-oxygen monitoring device), and positioned on your stomach. The doctor or nurse will start an intravenous line and give some medicine to help you relax. Your back is cleansed with an antiseptic soap after which the doctor injects numbing medicine deep into your skin and tissue. This will cause a burning sensation for a few seconds. A small incision is made in the back through which the doctor places a narrow tube.
Using a special X-ray machine called a fluoroscope, the doctor guides the tube to the correct position. The tube creates a path through the back into the fractured vertebra. The doctor inserts the bone tamp through the tube and into the vertebra, then gently and carefully inflates it. As the balloon inflates, it elevates the fracture, returning the pieces to a more normal position. It also compacts the soft inner bone to create a cavity inside the vertebra.The balloon is removed and the doctor uses specially designed instruments under low pressure to fill the cavity with the bone cement. After being injected, the cement hardens quickly, stabilizing the bone. After the procedure, you will continue lying on your stomach for an hour or two. We ask that you remain at the Clinic until the doctor feels you are ready to leave.
Before and After the Procedure and the Risks
Procedure Details
Will you be asleep for the procedure? Normally, kyphoplasty is performed with numbing medicine (local anesthesia) and other medication to keep you comfortable. Under special circumstances, the doctor may recommend that you go to sleep. How long will the procedure take? Kyphoplasty usually takes about one hour for each vertebra.
Before the Procedure
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before the procedure. If you are on medications, you may take them with sips of water. If you are a diabetic, discuss your medication with the doctor. You may need to stop taking certain medications several days before the procedure. Please remind the doctor of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take, including herbal and vitamin supplements. The doctor will tell you if and when you need to discontinue the medications. Tell the doctor if you develop a cold, fever, or flu symptoms before your scheduled appointment.
After the Procedure
Keep the area clean and dry to help prevent skin infection. Do not do any heavy lifting for 3 months (i.e. nothing heavier than a carton of milk). After that, you can gradually increase your lifting to normal. Walking is encouraged and you can bend within the restrictions of your brace. You may experience some muscle discomfort where the needles were placed. This may be treated with a mild pain reliever such as Tylenol. Do not drive for the remainder of the day. Please have an adult drive you home or accompany you in a taxi or other public transportation. Depending on how you feel, you may resume normal activities and return to work in one to three days.
Procedure Risks
The risks are minimal and in fact, few complications have been reported. Potential complication include: infection at the injection site, bleeding, fractured rib, collapsed lung, worsened pain, and paralysis due to leakage of cement.
