What it is
Kyphoplasty is a percutaneous procedure performed through small punctures in the skin — no incision required. Under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, a needle is introduced into the collapsed vertebral body. A balloon catheter is then inflated inside the vertebra to create a cavity and restore some of the lost height before the balloon is deflated and removed. Bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA) is injected into the cavity, where it hardens and stabilizes the fracture.
How it differs from vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty injects cement directly into the fractured vertebra without the balloon step. Kyphoplasty adds the inflation step, which can restore some vertebral height and allows cement to be injected at lower pressure into a pre-formed cavity — which may reduce the risk of cement extravasation (leakage). The height restoration benefit is variable and not always maintained long-term.
Who benefits
Kyphoplasty is most effective for:
- Osteoporotic fractures that are recent (acute or subacute) and causing significant pain
- Fractures with MRI evidence of bone marrow edema, indicating they are active and not yet healed
Older, healed fractures without bone marrow edema are unlikely to benefit. Fractures with significant spinal cord compression from displaced bone fragments are not candidates and may require open surgery.
What to expect
Kyphoplasty is typically performed under sedation and local anesthesia, usually as an outpatient or short-stay procedure. Many patients experience meaningful pain improvement within days. As with any intervention for osteoporotic fracture, treatment of the underlying bone fragility — with calcium, vitamin D, and appropriate pharmacologic therapy — is an essential part of comprehensive care to prevent future fractures.