Kyphoplasty

There are a wide range of situations where you might require a surgical procedure for your back. Unfortunately, it’s a part of the body that often suffers from problems, and many of them are difficult to resolve without taking surgical action. One of the procedures that is becoming increasingly common in the United States is the kyphoplasty. At William Muñoz, M.D. we’ve been providing kyphoplasty surgical interventions for many years now, and we’ve always managed to achieve the outcome required to help our patients throughout the Boca Raton, Florida area. If you believe that you might be a candidate for a kyphoplasty, it’s important that you reach out to our team at the earliest opportunity – giving us the best chance of resolving your issues. For some additional information on what a kyphoplasty is, and when it might be required for a patient, read on below. If you still have questions that need answering, you can get in touch with our customer service representatives as an alternative.

What is a Kyphoplasty?

First things first, what exactly is a kyphoplasty? A type of vertebral augmentation for compression fractures, a kyphoplasty is where a special cement is injected into vertebrae with the help of a balloon-like device. The purpose of a kyphoplasty is to restore a vertebra’s height and possibly to relieve pain. Using X-ray guidance, a doctor will guide a needle into the bone before inflating the balloon to facilitate a reshaping of the vertebra back to its normal shape. At this point, the cement is injected into the relevant area, and once completed, the needle is removed. Thankfully, this minimally invasive spine surgery option does not require any stitches.

When is a Kyphoplasty Required?

There are a few occasions when a kyphoplasty is likely to be the best option for a patient, and we’re prepared for all of them. Generally, this type of spine surgery is recommended for patients who are suffering from cancer damaged vertebrae, or for specific spinal fractures. Sometimes, these relate to a condition known as osteoporosis – where bones are weakened and more likely to fracture and break. In these cases, the condition causes vertebrae to compress or even collapse, which can be painful to say the least.

Procedure Length

Patients are often concerned about the amount of time that they’ll be involved in this procedure – and that’s a fair consideration. Generally speaking, a kyphoplasty shouldn’t take in excess of an hour, though the length of the spine surgery depends on how many vertebrae are affected by your condition. Remember, you’ll be under local or general anesthetic for the procedure, too.

After the Procedure

For most patients, the positive impacts of a kyphoplasty are pretty much immediate. Pain often disappears almost as soon as the procedure finishes, and for others, the positive influence is felt within a couple of days. The recovery period shouldn’t inhibit your daily activities too much, though you shouldn’t attempt anything too strenuous for around 6 weeks from the date your surgery is completed.