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Kyphoplasty is a medical procedure developed by orthopedist Mark Reiley that attempts to stop the pain caused by the bone fracture and attempts to restore the height and angle of kyphosis of a fractured vertebra (of certain types), followed by its stabilization using injected bone filler material. Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty represent the two procedures that percutaneously attempt to augment the strength of fracture or weakened spine bones (Vertebra).

The procedure can be performed under either local or general anesthesia, on multiple levels, out-patient or in-patient, and is viewed as minimally invasive. It was most commonly performed for spinal compression fractures caused by osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bone, and is also sometimes performed for certain other conditions that may have led to a spinal fracture.

Two trials published in 2009 however have found that the procedure in not effective at relieving pain or deformity.^[1][2]

Contents 1 Effectivenness 2 Comparison With Vertebroplasty 3 Treatment alternatives to Kyphoplasty 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Effectivenness

Several unblinded clinical studies have suggested a benefit of balloon kyphoplasty for patients with spinal fractures. However earlier unblinded studies also suggested a similar benefit to the closely related procedure vertebroplasty, however the only two blinded randomized controlled studies done to assess vertebroplasty failed to demonstrate any benefit as compared to patients who received a sham procedure.^[3][4] Kyphoplasty was derived from vertebroplasty, so the unsuccessful results of these blinded studies have cast serious doubt upon the benefit of Kyphoplasty despite the continued benefit suggested by unblinded studies.^[5]

[edit] Comparison With Vertebroplasty

Balloon kyphoplasty utilizes orthopedic balloons to create a void in a fractured vertebra, restore vertebral body height and correct angular deformity. The void allows a viscous cement to be deposited in a controlled manner stabilizing the fracture. In vertebroplasty, no balloon is used to restore vertebral body height and no cavity is created. Cement is injected into the fractured vertebra stabilizing it in its current state.

[edit] Treatment alternatives to Kyphoplasty

There are other treatment options for vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) including Vertebroplasty and non-surgical management. Non-surgical management includes administration of analgesics, bed rest, back braces, physical therapy, rehabilitation programs, and walking aids according to standard practices of participating hospitals. Side effects to this treatment are that other vertebra could be damaged due to this procedure. The vertebra directly below can be crushed due to the expansion of the vertebra above.

[edit] See also

• Compression fracture
• Osteoporosis
• Bone healing
• Vertebroplasty
• Vesselplasty

[edit] References

^{[6] [7]}

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[edit] External links

- * Society of Interventional Radiology Position Statement