What are vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty?
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures that treat painful vertebral compression fractures — fractures of the vertebral body most commonly caused by osteoporosis. Both procedures inject bone cement into the fractured vertebra to stabilize it and eliminate the pain caused by the fracture moving with every breath and movement.
In vertebroplasty, bone cement is injected directly into the fractured vertebra through a needle under fluoroscopic guidance. The procedure takes approximately one hour and most patients are discharged the same day.
Kyphoplasty adds a step before the cement injection: a small balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebra and inflated, creating a cavity and partially restoring the vertebral height that was lost when the fracture collapsed. The cement is then injected into the cavity. Kyphoplasty is preferred when significant height loss has occurred and sagittal alignment is a concern.
Dr. Enguidanos performs both procedures at HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital and Emerald Coast Surgical Center in Niceville, Florida, serving patients throughout the Florida Panhandle and Gulf Coast.
Common symptoms.
- Sudden onset of severe mid-back or lower back pain, often without a specific injury
- Pain that is sharp with any movement — standing, sitting, rolling over in bed
- Pain that is worse with activity and partially relieved by lying flat
- Loss of height over time — multiple compression fractures cause progressive shortening
- Increasing kyphosis — forward rounding of the upper back
- Difficulty standing upright or walking for prolonged periods
- Rib pain from the rib cage compressing the abdomen as height is lost
- Reduced lung capacity and early satiety in severe cases with multiple fractures
What causes it.
- Osteoporosis — the most common cause, bone density loss making vertebrae fragile
- Normal activity — bending forward, lifting, coughing, or even stepping off a curb
- Prolonged corticosteroid use — accelerates bone loss
- Cancer — metastatic disease to the spine causing pathological fractures
- Multiple myeloma — plasma cell cancer that weakens vertebral bone
- Trauma — high-energy fractures in younger patients without osteoporosis
- Osteopenia — lesser bone density loss that still increases fracture risk
When to call us.
You should seek evaluation promptly when you develop sudden severe back pain, especially if you are over 60 or have known osteoporosis. Vertebral compression fractures are frequently missed or attributed to muscle strain — imaging is required to confirm the diagnosis.
Acute fractures respond best to treatment within the first six to eight weeks. After this window, the fracture begins to heal in the collapsed position and the opportunity for height restoration with kyphoplasty diminishes. Do not wait.
If you have been told you have a compression fracture and are managing it with rest and pain medication, but pain persists beyond four to six weeks, call Dr. Enguidanos's office. Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty can still provide meaningful relief even in older fractures.