Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty Treatment in Fort Wayne
Kyphoplasty is a potential treatment for vertebral compression fractures, osteoporosis-related vertebrae collapse, and cancer-related bone weakness. It’s a minimally invasive surgery that relieves back pain due to vertebral bone fragments that rub against each other.
Kyphoplasty is similar to vertebroplasty in the way that both procedures inject bone cement into the vertebral fracture. But kyphoplasty also involves the insertion of a small balloon that creates space in your vertebra, before injecting the cement, to restore bone height.
This type of treatment might be suitable if conservative treatments aren’t enough to provide relief from vertebral compression fractures. It also addresses the root cause of pain symptoms so you won’t be depending on prescribed or over-the-counter medication for relief.
Dr. Joseph Fortin is a kyphoplasty specialist in Fort Wayne. He conducts the minimally invasive surgical procedure to relieve patients’ back pain and raise their quality of life. Call us for inquiries.
What happens during kyphoplasty?
Although it’s minimally invasive, kyphoplasty is still a surgical procedure. You might need to undergo blood tests and imaging tests so that the surgeon can see the exact areas that require attention.
The actual procedure is performed under general anesthesia which is injected into your arm via an intravenous line. Other pain medications and antibiotics might also be recommended.
Take note that you have to lie on your stomach during the procedure. A local anesthetic might be injected into your back, at the area where the surgical balloon and bone cement will be inserted.
Once the anesthesia kicks in, it’s time for the surgery:
- Dr. Fortin inserts a small needle through your back muscles and into your vertebral bone with the assistance of fluoroscopy.
- Once the needle is in, Dr. Fortin inserts an inflatable surgical balloon that raises your vertebra and recovers its height.
- Dr. Fortin injects the bone cement into the space opened by the surgical balloon. Then, he removes the needle.
Stitches are not necessary for this procedure. And if only one vertebral bone is being treated, the procedure should be done within an hour. Then, you will be taken to the recovery room for monitoring.
Kyphoplasty patients are typically discharged on the same day.
Vertebral compression fractures typically develop after an injury. Most often seen in people with osteoporosis, this chronic condition weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.
Who needs kyphoplasty?
A kyphoplasty is needed if you have a vertebral compression fracture that fails to improve with conservative treatment, or if your pain is getting worse and affecting your ability to be mobile.
As an interventional pain management specialist, Dr. Fortin will provide a comprehensive evaluation at Spine Technology and Rehabilitation to determine if a kyphoplasty is the right procedure for you. He will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and reviews the details of your kyphoplasty during your evaluation.
What happens during kyphoplasty?
Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, a kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure typically performed under general anesthesia.
Using image guidance technology (known as fluoroscopy), Dr. Fortin inserts a small needle into your spine and inflates a surgical balloon near your fracture to raise the vertebra, restoring its height. He then instills bone cement to fill in the space created by the balloon, thereby repairing the fracture.
Following your procedure, you’re taken to the recovery area for monitoring and then discharged home.
How long is recovery after kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that lets you get up within an hour of the surgery. You’ll start feeling its effects within 48 hours.
During your initial consultation with Dr. Fortin, he will explain the procedure and recovery process in detail. You can anticipate a short stay in the recovery room, and pain relief and improved mobility within the next two days.
Kyphoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure. You can leave the hospital a few hours after the surgery. But you might need to stay overnight if the procedure involves two or more vertebra or upon doctor’s advice.
You could use an ice pack to relieve the temporary pain or soreness after the procedure. But the sensation typically fades away within 48 hours.
Spine Technology and Rehabilitation’s kyphoplasty procedure relieves the pain and addresses the reduced mobility that could be hindering you from living your best life. Book an appointment today.