Transdermal kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures, which are fractures of the vertebral bodies that form the spine. When a vertebral body is fractured, the usual rectangular shape of the bone is compressed causing pain. These compression fractures can occur in one or more vertebrae in the spine and are usually a consequence of osteoporosis.
The surgical procedure
We use X-ray guidance to insert a balloon through a needle into the vertebral fracture, which extends upwards realigning the bone and creating a cavity within the vertebra. The fractured vertebrae are strengthened by the injection of special hardening material into the cavity when the balloon is removed. The surgical incision is about 0.5 cm.
Anyone who has suffered a spinal fracture can benefit from the method. Your doctor will decide if kyphoplasty is the best solution to your problem. Patients with painful osteoporotic fractures who experience prolonged pain, difficulty in daily activities, and constantly exacerbated kyphosis constitute the group that benefits in almost all cases.
Patients exhibit significant improvement or even disappearance of pain immediately after kyphoplasty.
The whole procedure lasts about 15 minutes for each vertebra. The pain of the fracture immediately subsides. Immediately after surgery, the patient remains briefly monitored in the resuscitation room. The patient is fully mobilized and remains in the hospital for a few hours to one day. At home, the patient can return to his or her usual activities immediately without having to stay in bed or wear waist belts. However, actions that require increased effort, e.g. weight lifting, should be avoided for at least six weeks.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure with minor skin incisions and hospitalization for only a few hours. Therefore, it is preferable, especially in older patients, to consider treatment with kyphoplasty early after a fracture. It is incorrect on the basis of current data to deprive patients of the possibility of treatment with this method.
With the digital technology of 3D navigation, X-ray and neuroscience available to us and with our extensive experience as surgeons (we have been applying it since 2004) the probability of complications due to surgery is substantially nonexistent. Kyphoplasty is a new, safe method for the treatment of osteoporotic fractures and other serious spinal problems.
It works very well with over 95% success in relieving pain and the consequent problems (respiratory dysfunction, bed rest, psychological impact) of an osteoporotic fracture.