Thoracic Spine
Kyphoplasty
Percutaneous cement stabilization of a painful vertebral compression fracture. Most patients feel meaningful relief within hours.
What it is
Kyphoplasty stabilizes a fractured vertebra by inflating a small balloon inside the bone to restore some of its lost height, then filling the cavity with medical-grade cement. The cement hardens within minutes, locking the fracture in place.
The procedure is done percutaneously — through two small skin punctures — under image guidance. There is no incision in the traditional sense, no internal hardware, and no fusion.
Why this procedure when surgery is needed
Vertebral compression fractures — most commonly from osteoporosis, occasionally from cancer or trauma — can cause severe, position-dependent back pain that resists conservative care. For appropriately selected patients with persistent pain after a few weeks, kyphoplasty provides immediate, often dramatic relief.
Stabilizing the fracture early also helps prevent the loss of height and forward stooping that can follow a chain of untreated compression fractures.
What to expect
Outpatient procedure, typically 30–45 minutes.
Done under sedation or general anesthesia, depending on patient.
Most patients feel meaningful relief within hours.
Return to normal activity within days.
Bone-health workup is essential — kyphoplasty treats the fracture; it does not treat the underlying osteoporosis.
Approach
- Bilateral percutaneous transpedicular access
- Fluoroscopic guidance throughout
- Balloon inflation to restore vertebral height where possible
- PMMA cement injection under live imaging
- Same-day discharge in most cases
Typical indications
- Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with persistent significant pain
- Pathologic fracture from cancer (in coordination with oncology)
- Fractures unresponsive to several weeks of conservative care
- Progressive height loss or kyphosis from a chain of fractures
Alternatives we considered
- Conservative care: brace, pain control, time (4–6 weeks; many fractures heal)
- Vertebroplasty — cement without balloon (less commonly used today)
- Surgical stabilization for fractures with neurologic compromise
- Bone-health-only management for asymptomatic chronic fractures
Last reviewed: 2026-05-10· Author: Chad Tuchek, MD · Cotton O'Neil Neurosurgery and Spine Center, Stormont Vail Health
The information on this page is general patient education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. For urgent symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For non-urgent questions, call (785) 368-0767.