Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment that can alleviate the pain caused by compression fractures of the spine and help straighten the hunchback sometimes caused by compression fractures. You may also hear the term vertebroplasty, which is the name for the part of the procedure that alleviates the pain. Kyphoplasty is a refinement of the vertebroplasty procedure by adding the extra benefit of straightening the spine.

Spinal fractures are quite common. In the United States alone, an estimated 700,000 spinal fractures occur each year. Although the majority of spinal fractures (also called vertebral compression fractures) are caused by osteoporosis, cancer and medical treatments such as chemotherapy can also weaken bone and increase the likelihood of fracture.

In the past, patients with painful compression fractures had the options of taking pain medications, wearing a brace, getting bed rest, or undergoing surgery, which was often ineffective. Kyphoplasty is a newer procedure that has proven safe and effective. Approximately 95 percent of Porter Adventist Hospital kyphoplasty patients see rapid pain relief.

Dr. Dominic Yee, Radiologist
Porter Adventist Hospital and Radiology Imaging Associates
303-765-3843
info@riaco.com.

For more information, visit the following sites:

www.radiologyinfo.org
www.riainvision.com
Porter Hospital's Radiology Department