CONDITION

VERTEBRAL COMPRESSION FRACTURES

A type of fracture that occurs in the spine when a segment of the spine is exposed to excess force. This most commonly occurs during a fall. The vertebral body compresses, causing it to become wedge-shaped and leading to pain, loss of height, and a hunched posture; the most common cause of such fractures is osteoporosis, but trauma or tumors can also contribute.

Vertebral fractures are usually due to conditions such as osteoporosis (a condition that weakens the bones), a very hard fall, excessive pressure, or some kind of physical injury.

TREATMENT

KYPHOPLASTY

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat compression fractures in the spine—especially those caused by osteoporosis, injury, or cancer. It helps relieve pain, restore height to the collapsed vertebra, and stabilize the spine.

How Does It Work?

During the procedure:

A small incision is made in your back.
A thin tube is guided into the fractured vertebra.
Through this tube, the doctor inserts a small balloon and gently inflates it. This helps lift the collapsed bone and create space.
The balloon is removed, and the space is filled with a special bone cement that hardens quickly—stabilizing the vertebra.

Kyphoplasty is usually done under local anesthesia in our office and typically takes less than an hour per treated vertebra.

What Are the Benefits?

Quick pain relief — many patients feel significantly better within days, sometimes even hours.
Improved mobility and posture
Reduced need for pain medication
Prevention of further collapse of the bone
Earlier return to activities & mobility , reduicing complications such as DVT & Pneumonia

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a candidate for kyphoplasty if:

You have a spinal compression fracture causing significant pain.
Imaging (like an MRI) shows that the fracture is recent and active.
You haven’t responded well to conservative treatments like rest or pain medication.

If you have questions about kyphoplasty or any other minimally invasive surgery at Coastal Orthopedic Pain & Spine Center, make an appointment for a consultation with us today by calling 727-526-8000.