Discover the transformative benefits of kyphoplasty at Source Healthcare, Santa Monica’s premier pain management clinic. Our board-certified specialists utilize advanced minimally invasive techniques to relieve excruciating back pain caused by compression fractures. Experience rapid pain relief, improved mobility, and a higher quality of life with kyphoplasty.
Kyphoplasty for Compression Fracture
Excruciating back pain can often be the only symptom of a compression fracture. This type of fracture occurs when a bone in the spinal column (vertebra) collapses. Sometimes, multiple compression fractures can occur when more than one bone or vertebra collapses. Multiple compression fractures lead to a spinal deformity called kyphosis, where the upper back bends forward, creating a hunchback appearance. Weakened, soft bones typically cause compression fractures and are usually caused by osteoporosis, a bone-thinning condition.
At Source Healthcare, our spine specialists are board-certified and have decades of experience using advanced minimally invasive and non-invasive techniques such as kyphoplasty to help clients find optimal pain relief. When administered by our skilled experts, kyphoplasty eliminates pain and improves mobility and quality of life. As the top-rated Santa Monica spine and interventional pain management clinic, we have a proven track record of helping our clients experience rapid pain relief with kyphoplasty.
What is Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure aimed at treating vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), which occur when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) collapse. Commonly caused by conditions like osteoporosis or trauma, these fractures can result in the forward curvature of the spine, known as kyphosis. Kyphoplasty specifically targets VCFs, restoring vertebral height and reducing pain through specialized techniques and materials.
A small incision is made, and a balloon-like device is inserted into the fractured vertebra and inflated. This inflation creates a cavity within the vertebra and restores its height. Once the cavity is created, bone cement is injected, filling the space and providing stability. The cement hardens, reinforcing the vertebra and relieving pain by immobilizing the fracture site. Doctors might recommend kyphoplasty for cancer-damaged vertebrae or certain spinal fractures.
SCHEDULE A
CONSULTATION
Benefits of Kyphoplasty:
- Minimal Downtime: Kyphoplasty involves a minimally invasive approach, resulting in a shorter recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.
Immediate and Long-Lasting Pain Relief: Many patients experience immediate pain relief following kyphoplasty, and the benefits can be long-lasting. - Small Incision: The procedure requires only a small incision at each affected level, minimizing scarring and reducing the risk of complications.
- Height Restoration: By inflating a balloon, the procedure aims to create a cavity and potentially increase the height of the fractured vertebral body, restoring spinal alignment.
- Fracture Stabilization: The injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement into the cavity stabilizes the fractured vertebra, preventing further collapse.
- Precise and Safe: Fluoroscopy, a real-time X-ray imaging technique, is used to ensure accurate placement of the balloon and cement, enhancing safety and efficacy.
- Prompt Treatment: Kyphoplasty can be scheduled quickly, allowing for timely intervention and relief for individuals suffering from painful compression fractures.
- Ambulatory Procedure: Following recovery from anesthesia, many patients can walk out of the surgery center on the same day.
How the Procedure Works
Step 1: Comprehensive Preoperative Evaluation
Our team conducts a thorough evaluation, including a physical examination, a review of medical history, and advanced imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans. This helps identify the location and severity of the vertebral fracture and guides the treatment plan.
Step 2: Anesthesia Administration
The choice of anesthesia for the procedure, whether general anesthesia or local anesthesia, is determined based on the individual patient’s condition. This prioritizes patient comfort and minimizes potential discomfort during the kyphoplasty procedure.
Step 3: Access and Balloon Insertion
A small incision is made in the back, providing access to the fractured vertebra. Using fluoroscopic imaging for precise guidance, a narrow tube called a trocar is inserted through the incision and directed into the affected vertebra. Once properly positioned, a specialized balloon tamp is gently inflated within the collapsed vertebral body.
Step 4: Balloon Inflation for Cavity Creation
The inflation of the balloon tamp plays a vital role in kyphoplasty as it carefully expands to create a cavity within the fractured vertebra. This controlled expansion restores the height of the vertebra and generates the necessary space for the subsequent steps of the treatment.
Step 5: Precise Cement Injection
After deflating and removing the balloon, the cavity within the vertebra is filled with bone cement, typically a fast-hardening, medical-grade acrylic cement. Our surgeons inject the cement with fluoroscopic guidance to ensure optimal distribution and vertebral stability.
Step 6: Post-Procedure Evaluation and Recovery
Once the cement has hardened, our surgeons confirm its appropriate placement using imaging techniques. Patients are monitored in a dedicated recovery area for a brief period before being discharged. While some individuals experience immediate pain relief, others may notice a gradual reduction in pain over the following days or weeks.
Who Qualifies for a Kyphoplasty
Determining the eligibility for kyphoplasty requires careful consideration of various factors. While kyphoplasty can effectively relieve vertebral compression fractures, it may not be suitable for every case. Individual patient characteristics and fracture patterns are evaluated to determine the most appropriate approach.
A comprehensive evaluation and consultation with a specialized spine specialist or orthopedic surgeon are crucial in determining if kyphoplasty is suitable for an individual patient’s condition.
Book an Appointment with Our Board-Certified Specialists
Source Healthcare is a premium Santa Monica pain management clinic that offers a wide range of minimally-invasive and non-invasive pain relief treatments. Our board-certified interventional specialists are highly skilled in regenerative medicine, spinal cord stimulation, PRP, injections, stem cell injections, and interventional pain procedures. We offer the best treatments in Santa Monica for compression fractures, sports injuries, knee, arm, back, and neck pain, or herniated discs.
From a detailed initial consultation to extensive monitoring during and after the procedure, we believe in building strong doctor-client relationships that help us deliver exceptional results every time. Our focus is on offering a safe and flawless experience to our clients with a quick turnaround time for diagnosis and treatment with an emphasis on evidence-based, cutting-edge procedures.
At Source Healthcare, we understand how painful this condition can be. Please schedule an appointment today with our interventional specialists so we can assist you with experiencing pain relief as soon as possible.
