What are Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty?
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure in which medical-grade bone cement (PMMA — polymethylmethacrylate) is injected directly into a fractured vertebral body under X-ray guidance. The cement hardens in minutes, stabilising the fracture and providing immediate pain relief.
Kyphoplasty (balloon kyphoplasty) is a variation where a small balloon is first inserted into the fractured vertebra and inflated to restore some vertebral height, creating a cavity that is then filled with cement. Kyphoplasty is preferred when the fracture is recent (within 6–8 weeks) and significant height loss has occurred.
Key Benefits
Who Needs This Procedure?
- Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) — severe pain not responding to bed rest and analgesics
- Fractures confirmed as acute/sub-acute on MRI (bone oedema signal)
- Pathological fractures from metastatic cancer (palliative stabilisation)
- Patients who are poor surgical candidates for open fusion
The Procedure — Step by Step
Preparation
Patient positioned prone. Skin cleansed and draped. Local anaesthetic + IV sedation (general anaesthesia rarely required).
Needle Placement
Under fluoroscopy (X-ray), a 3mm working trocar (needle) placed through the pedicle of the fractured vertebra — one or both sides.
Balloon Inflation (Kyphoplasty)
For kyphoplasty: inflatable bone tamp advanced and inflated to restore height. Balloon then deflated and removed, leaving a cavity.
Cement Injection
Bone cement injected under controlled fluoroscopic monitoring. Hardens in 10 minutes. Needles removed. Patient observed for 2 hours then discharged.