Like any bones in your body, the vertebrae of the spine can suffer fractures. However, rather than snapping like a branch, these bones usually collapse in on themselves, a condition called a compression fracture.
The team at Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management in West Des Moines and Des Moines, Iowa, specializes in a minimally invasive procedure called kyphoplasty that surgically treats spinal compression fractures.
When you experience pain due to a compression fracture, this 60-minute process can clear it away in days.
The internal composition of vertebral bones is sponge-like, full of tiny bubbles that reduce the mass of a bone without sacrificing structural strength. That is, until a problem appears like osteoporosis, spinal tumors, or another spinal injury.
These conditions rob vertebrae of bone mass so they can no longer bear the structural loads you take for granted. Exertion or everyday living may produce enough force to cause bone tissue to collapse.
Usually, but not always, the vertebra remains in position, with its new shape altering the structure of the spine. The dominant symptom is usually pain at the point of the compression fracture, but you might also experience sensations like numbness and tingling.
Symptoms may also radiate along the path of any affected nerves. In severe cases, you may notice changes to your posture as a result of collapsed bone.
The concept of kyphoplasty is simple. In this two-part procedure, our physicians first restore the collapsed vertebra to its usual shape and size with a balloon device inserted through a small incision and a tool called a trocar.
We inflate the balloon to reestablish vertebral shape, then fill the space with a special cement that hardens and restores the vertebra’s function.
Kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure. You go home the same day as your surgery, which usually takes less than an hour. You can return to light-duty tasks quickly, often the next day.
As a minimally invasive surgery done quickly, the impact on your body is minimal. No long recovery times are involved, though if osteoporosis is the underlying cause of your compression fracture, you may need treatment to reduce the risk of further fractures.
Kyphoplasty relieves or eliminates pain caused by the vertebral collapse, as well as correcting any anatomical issues resulting from the compression fracture. There’s no need for follow-up care like physical therapy after your procedure.
The success rate of kyphoplasty is an estimated 92%, providing significant pain relief for most of the patients who undergo one of the nearly 20,000 procedures performed annually in the United States.
When you suffer mobility and pain issues due to compression fractures of the spine, contact Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management to schedule a kyphoplasty consultation. Call or click today to plan your visit with the office nearest you.