What to Expect Before, During, and After Kyphoplasty

At Comprehensive Pain Management Partners, our interventional pain management specialists, led by Eric Haynes, MD, and Rudy Panganiban, MD, offer specialized procedures like kyphoplasty to treat spinal fractures in Tampa, Venice, Dade City, and New Port Richey, Florida.

Kyphoplasty specifically treats vertebral compression fractures, in which tiny cracks develop, often due to osteoporosis or injury. 

The procedure can stabilize the spine, ease pain, and help you return to a more active lifestyle. If you’re considering treatments for back pain, knowing what happens before, during, and after kyphoplasty can help you feel confident about choosing a treatment path. 

What’s kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat compression fractures in the spine. These fractures occur when one of the spinal bones (vertebrae) collapse or grow compressed. Although some compression fractures are painless, others can cause ongoing back pain, restricted movement, and even posture changes.

Kyphoplasty stabilizes the affected vertebra. Your surgeon injects a special medical-grade cement into the area where the vertebra has collapsed or compressed, returning it to its original dimensions.

Before kyphoplasty: The evaluation process

The process begins with a careful evaluation of your symptoms. Many patients who qualify for kyphoplasty may have sudden or rapidly increasing back pain due to spinal compression fractures.

In most cases, the pain starts during ordinary movement, like stretching, lifting something lightweight, or bending forward. Less commonly, the pain may start after a notable injury, like a slip and fall.

To confirm the cause of your pain, our specialists at Comprehensive Pain Management Partners perform a physical exam, often alongside imaging tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans. These tests help identify the presence of a compression fracture and show how severe it is. Imaging also helps determine whether the fracture is recent and likely to benefit from kyphoplasty.

Kyphoplasty is usually a later-stage option, after trying conservative care such as rest, wearing a back brace, and pain management. 

If you schedule a procedure, our team provides specific instructions for preparation, including fasting, temporary medication changes, and arranging transportation. 

During kyphoplasty: What happens on procedure day

Kyphoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. When you arrive, our team reviews your medical information, places an IV line and monitors your vital signs.

You’ll receive either local anesthesia with sedation or, less commonly, general anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon creates a tiny incision above the vertebra requiring treatment. They guide an ultrathin tube into the fractured vertebra. 

Your doctor then guides a deflated balloon device through the tube and into the fractured vertebra. They gently inflate the balloon to create space in that area, with the goal of returning your vertebra to its original height. 

Your surgeon removes the balloon and injects special cement into that space. It hardens quickly to stabilize the repair. 

The procedure typically takes about an hour for each vertebra treated. Because it is minimally invasive, there is little disruption to surrounding tissues.

After kyphoplasty: Recovery and results

After the procedure, our team monitors you for a short time before you return home. We provide detailed aftercare directions, which may be customized for each patient’s specific situation. In general, most patients notice pain relief fairly quickly, within as little as a few days.

Many patients resume light daily routines within only a day, but your doctor provides specific instructions about avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activity early on in recovery. 

Our team may also recommend treatment for underlying conditions, such as osteoporosis, to help prevent future fractures.

Living with a spinal compression fracture can be challenging, but treatments like kyphoplasty are helping patients get their lives back. If you’re having ongoing back pain and need solutions, book your consultation online or by phone at Comprehensive Pain Management Partners today.