Kyphoplasty / Vertebroplasty

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are both procedures used to treat compression fractures in the spinal column.

With compression fractures, there is often a lot of pain and instability. Further, the vertebra loses height. The goals of kyphoplasty are to reduce pain, stabilize the vertebra, and restore normal height. Using a small incision, Dr. Joyal accesses the site of the compression fracture, and creates a bone cavity that restores the normal height of the vertebra. Then he places a specialized compound, a type of bone cement, into the cavity, which hardens quickly, restoring structure the area.

With vertebroplasty, a cement mixture is also injected into the fractured bone, but no cavity is created beforehand.

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are most often performed on patients who have compression fractures as a result of osteoporosis.