CHAPTER 23
KYPHOPLASTY
AD
VERTEBROPLASTY
(This is the section that explains the detail of the operation or procedure
above and should be read in conjunction with the chapter Your Back
Operation).
The treatment of vertebral compression fractures historically revolved around
bed rest, analgesic medication and the use of a brace (corset) for extended
periods. Spinal compression fractures can take up to 6–18 months to heal and
in some cases might never heal. In some patients the pain becomes tolerable
after 1–2 months despite the fact that the fracture has not healed. Where the
use of steroids is the cause of the spinal fractures, the patient often presents
with multiple vertebral fractures, severe collapse and extensive complications
without treatment. A painful fracture that has not healed can qualify for oper-
ative treatment if the MRI scan reveals that the fracture has not healed. This
means that some fractures can still be surgically treated after a year.
Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures to main-
ly, but not exclusively, treat osteoporotic and metastatic vertebral compres-
sion fractures of the spine and sacrum. These procedures are performed to sta-
bilise the bodies of the collapsed (fractured) vertebrae and restore the height
of the vertebrae.
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