The spine comprises dozens of vertebrae connected by facet joints. A fracture of any of the vertebrae can cause significant pain. Unfortunately, a fractured vertebra cannot be easily set like a broken arm or leg. Treating it is significantly more complicated. Two tools for doing so are the procedures known as kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.
The first thing to note is that the procedures are not the same. They achieve similar results, but the means by which the results are achieved differ. Likewise, a patient’s choice between the two matters. Patients should always discuss both options with their doctors before making a choice.
A Treatment for Compression Fractures
LoneStarPainMedicine.com is a Weatherford, TX clinic that offers kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. The clinic almost always reserves the treatments for people with compression fractures of the spine. A compression fracture occurs when one or more vertebrae collapses.
Unfortunately, compression fractures are more likely to occur as a person ages. They can occur separately or as part of another degenerative condition affecting a patient’s spine. Regardless, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are alternatives to removing the damaged joint or fusing it to a neighboring joint.
The Basics of Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty involves a process that ultimately restores the length and diameter of the compressed vertebra. The doctor inserts a balloon into the damaged bone and then inflates it to create a cavity. Bone cement is then injected into the cavity.
Creating the cavity helps restore lost vertebral height. It can also help correct spinal alignment. The combination of both benefits significantly reduces a patient’s pain.
The Basics of Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a single-step procedure. The doctor simply injects bone cement to stabilize the compressed vertebrae. There is no restoration of spinal alignment or vertebral height. The question then becomes why a patient would choose vertebroplasty over kyphoplasty.
A Patient’s Goals Are the Prime Consideration
A patient’s goals are the prime consideration in determining which procedure to go with. For example, a patient looking at a single compressed vertebra might be content only with pain relief. Vertebroplasty offers that relief and potentially gets the patient back to normal activities very quickly.
On the other hand, a patient with chronic vertebral fractures could experience additional complications because of a loss of vertebral height. It makes more sense to go with kyphoplasty across each fracture to restore both height and alignment.
The Potential for Complications
There are few complications associated with kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. But the most common complication is also the most important one: cement leakage. Leakage is always a risk with either procedure.
Bone cement is injected under pressure. But with kyphoplasty, the cement is being injected into a cavity. The pressure is lower as a result. With no such cavity work with, vertebroplasty requires higher pressure. Therefore, the risk of leakage is greater with this procedure.
What happens if bone cement leaks? It could permanently damage the nerves near the treated vertebrae. If the leakage is severe enough, it could make its way to other vertebrae and the surrounding joints. This could lead to additional pain and some deformity.
Fortunately, cement leakage is not a problem for most patients. It is always a risk, but it is not a tremendous risk. Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are safe procedures that work just fine for most patients.
Talk Things Over With Your Doctor
If one or more compression fractures are causing back pain, talk to your doctor about kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. Either or both procedures could be right for you. They are different, so keep that in mind.