A compression fracture can be extremely painful and the loss in vertebral height can cause the patient to lose height and stoop forward due to the instability in the vertebral spine.
Compression fractures can be caused by a variety of factors, but osteoporosis is by far the most common. For patients with osteoporosis, fractures can occur with something as small as a stumble or a sneeze. Compression fractures can also be caused by a major impact, such as a car accident, or a fall.
The goal of cervical and lumbar kyphoplasty is to utilize medical grade cement to form an instant “cast” and restore vertebral height while stabilizing and strengthening the same area. This procedure can be performed at the cervical and lumbar level, depending on where exactly the compression fracture has occurred.
A kyphoplasty can be performed under full general anesthesia, or while the patient is under “twilight sedation” which means he or she will be groggy but still awake.
Kyphoplasty is extremely minimally invasive in that not only is the incision extremely small and no major muscles or soft tissue are damaged, but the recovery and rehabilitation time is very minimal. Generally, kyphoplasty patients are back to their normal activities within a day or two.
Following kyphoplasty, the surgeon will discuss any post-surgical concerns or restrictions and ways to avoid additional spinal compression fractures.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (949) 383-4190!