At Georgia Brain & Spine Center
Spinal fractures can range from minor injuries to life-altering conditions. There are also many types of spinal fractures. Vertebral compression fractures often occur in people who have weakened bones, many times due to osteoporosis. These fractures can also be caused by trauma or other conditions like tumors that can weaken the bones.
For a compression fracture in your spine, a procedure called kyphoplasty may be able to help. Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can be an alternative to bracing and to more invasive surgeries for compression fractures.
To perform a kyphoplasty, our neurosurgery team begins with a very small incision in the skin above your fractured vertebrae. Using a special x-ray machine called a C-arm fluoroscope, we guide a hollow needle into the open area inside the fractured vertebra. Through that needle, we insert a balloon into the fractured bone and inflate it, allowing us to better restore the vertebra’s height that you lost when the fracture occurred and the bone was compressed. After we use the balloon to re-create that height, we inject bone cement into this space to stabilize the vertebra.
While kyphoplasty is often preferable to bracing and to more invasive surgeries, not all patients are a good fit for the procedure. Our neurological team starts with a comprehensive exam to get more details about your condition and determine the best course of treatment. If you have been diagnosed with a compression fracture, call Georgia Brain & Spine to schedule an appointment.