Balloon Kyphoplasty

Bone pain and fractures can be debilitating. A procedure called balloon kyphoplasty, is a minimally invasive technique to relieve spinal pain. Research has shown that balloon kyphoplasty can provide immediate pain relief. It can also restore vertebral body height, increase the strength of the vertebral body, and restore stiffness. The procedure, which is cleared for marketing in the US, can be performed under local or general anesthesia and involves using x-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance to help the surgeon place a hollow needle into the collapsed vertebra. Once the needle is placed, a small orthopaedic balloon is then inserted through the needle and into the vertebra. When the balloon gently inflates, it restores the soft bone to its natural shape. The balloon is then deflated and removed. The surgeon uses a special liquid cement (methylmethacrylate) to fill the cavity inside the bone, which helps prevent future collapses. The procedures typically lasts about one hour.

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Ballon Kyphoplasty
	Two balloons are usually placed into the fractured bone to provide adequate support. The incision is usually about 1/3 inch.
	The balloons are then inflated to raise and restore the bone into its typical position.
	When inflation occurs, a cavity is created. After the bone moves to the proper position, the balloons are removed.
	Bone cement is inserted for cohesion.
	The cement hardens and holds the bone in place.
Images Courtesy of Medtronic

According to Medtronic, a company that develops and manufacturers medical technologies, approximately 340,000 patients and 400,000 spinal fractures worldwide have been treated with balloon kyphoplasty. Medtronic reported that 77 patients who recently underwent balloon kyphoplasty experienced complete relief from bone pain.

Additional Resources and References

• Medtronic develops and manufactures medical technologies for bone pain and other disorders, http://www.medtronic.com/
• Johns Hopkins provides information on bone pain through its Health Alerts series, http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/alerts/
• The American College of Physicians provides information on bone pain and osteoporosis at http://www.acponline.org/patients_families/womens_issues/osteoporosis/
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Updated: October 2, 2008