Denver Kyphoplasty Procedure
Kyphoplasty is a procedure used to treat vertebral body compression fractures, which are small breaks in the thick mass of bone that makes up the front part of your spinal column (the vertebral body). Vertebral body fractures lead to the collapse or compression of a vertebra, causing your spine to shorten and curve forward. This can result in pain and a kyphotic (hunched over) deformity.
MD Pain has proudly served the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs area for years, helping patients find lasting pain relief through modern, minimally invasive treatments. With deep experience in spine care and a patient first approach, our physicians focus on restoring comfort, stability, and improved mobility so you can return to normal daily activities.
Denver Kyphoplasty Treatment for Spinal Compression Fractures
For those dealing with spinal compression fractures or vertebral compression fractures, kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to stabilize the spine and reduce severe pain. This outpatient procedure uses a special balloon and bone cement to restore vertebral body height and support spinal alignment.
At MD Pain, the kyphoplasty procedure is carefully performed using advanced imaging such as x-ray guidance to ensure precision. A narrow tube is inserted through small incisions, and a small balloon is gently expanded inside the fractured vertebra. Once a cavity is created, bone cement is placed into the space, where it hardens and stabilizes the compressed vertebra.
As a result, most patients experience significant pain reduction and improved function shortly after the procedure.
Advanced Balloon Kyphoplasty for Lasting Pain Relief
Balloon kyphoplasty is often recommended for patients diagnosed with osteoporosis related fractures, trauma, or certain conditions such as cancer affecting the spine. This minimally invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia or light sedation offers immediate pain relief in many cases.
Some key benefits of this treatment include:
- Significant pain relief and reduced need for bed rest
- Improved mobility and return to daily activities
- Restoration of vertebral body height and spinal alignment
- Reduced risk of future fractures in the treated area
Because kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive solution, recovery time is typically shorter than traditional surgery. Patients often resume normal routines quickly with guidance from their doctor.
In the Denver area, factors like active lifestyles and seasonal activities can increase the risk of vertebral fracture or spinal compression injuries. That makes having access to trusted care near you especially important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kyphoplasty is generally reserved for people with moderate to severe back pain caused by osteoporotic or pathologic vertebral compression fractures. Candidates for these procedures often have a reduced ability to move and function because of the fractures.
To be a candidate for a kyphoplasty, your pain must be related to the vertebral fracture, and must not be due to other problems, such as disk herniation, arthritis, or stenosis (narrowing). Imaging tests — such as spinal x-rays, bone scans and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans — might be ordered to confirm the presence of a vertebral fracture. If you have osteoporosis, your healthcare provider may order a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan.
During the kyphoplasty procedure, you’ll lie on your stomach. While under sedation your healthcare provider will insert a hollow needle, called a trocar, through your skin and into the vertebra. X-ray is used to guide the trocar into the proper position.
Once the trocar is in place, an inflatable balloon-like device is inserted into the vertebra through the trocar. During a kyphoplasty, as the balloon is inflated, to help the collapsed vertebra regain its normal shape. The cavity that is formed is then filled with bone cement.
Kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure that is considered minimally invasive and is most often performed using intravenous or local anesthesia, depending on the healthcare provider, the facility, and your needs.
Kyphoplasty usually provides pain relief and improved mobility (movement) within 48 hours of the procedure. In some cases, however, you may feel pain relief immediately.
Kyphoplasty is very low-risk. There’s a slight chance you could get an infection, bleeding, increased back pain, or numbness and tingling. If you have osteoporosis, there is a risk of developing additional fractures at other vertebral bodies in your spine. To avoid this risk, your healthcare provider will want to ensure that you are on medications to improve your bone quality.