Understanding the Balloon Kyphoplasty Procedure
May 15, 2017
What is a Balloon Kyphoplasty?
Balloon kyphoplasty is a procedure that treats vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). A VCF is a condition where the bone breaks in the spine (vertebrae) which causes the bone to collapse resulting in severe back pain. Osteoporosis (a condition that weakens bones and results in breakage) is usually the main cause of VCF. Others include injuries or osteolytic tumors.
The balloon kyphoplasty procedure involves using a small balloon to lift the area within the bone that has collapsed. This helps the surgeon fill it with bone cement to ensure ample support to the bone and bring it back to it’s anatomically correct position.
Benefits of the Balloon Kyphoplasty Procedure
This minimally invasive spine procedure helps the patient recover quicker than an open back surgery. Patients can usually return home the same day of the procedure. The back pain is reduced significantly. Because of the reduction in pain, this reduces the amount of pain medications prescribed. Return to daily activities quickly is very common.
Risks Involved
Balloon Kyphoplasty involves very low risk of:
• Leakage of bone cement
• Infection
These risks are common in many medical spine procedures.
Balloon kyphoplasty is not a prevention based procedure, therefore, it will not prevent compression fractures from happening in the future.
What to expect before the Procedure
The patient will see a spine surgeon like Dr. Nordt. They will discuss and review the x-rays or MRI images and discuss the steps of the procedure. The patient should ask questions about the risks and benefits of having kyphoplasty.
It is important that patient informs their doctor if they are taking:
– Any blood thinning medications
An anesthesiologist will give medicine to help the patient relax and feel no pain during the procedure. The anesthesiologist and nurse will discuss their medical history.
Strictly Avoid:
– Eating or drinking after midnight prior to the procedure.
– Regular medicine with sips of water can be taken.
On the Day of Procedure
The doctor will put an intravenous (IV) in the patient’s arm to give you fluids and medicines during the procedure. After that, a local anesthetic is administered in the back, using a needle to numb the area where Dr. Nordt will perform the procedure.
Dr. Nordt will then make a small incision in the back (location of the compression fracture). An X-ray machine is used to lead a small percutaneous needle to where the bone is broken. A small balloon (orthopaedic balloon) is placed through the needle. It is then inflated very carefully to create space and raise the area of collapsed bone. Dr. Nordt will then deflate and remove the balloon once the space is created. Thereafter bone cement is injected into the space to ensure stability of the bone.
After the Procedure
The patient is checked for the following:
• Heart rate changes
• Blood pressure
• Breathing
• Surgical incision
Going Back Home
Patients normally go back home within a few hours after the procedure. It is advisable to have a friend or family member take the patient home.
Home Care
It is natural for patient to feel some pain that begins about 24 hours after the procedure. Patients are usually prescribed pain medicine to manage pain.
The patient may also feel some tenderness around the incision site. This should go away within a few days. The bandage and or dressing placed over the incision can be removed after 24 hours.
Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the following conditions:
• Feel numbness or tingling in legs and/or feet
• Fever higher than 38° C or 101° F
• Difficulty / unable to move legs
• Feel sick (nausea or vomiting)
• Bowel and/or bladder problems
Follow up with Dr. Nordt
Patients will have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Nordt about 1-2 weeks after the balloon kyphoplasty procedure.
