Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty: Minimally Invasive Relief for Spinal Fractures
By Dr. VijayKumar D | SV Ortho Care

🦴 What Are These Procedures?
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty are minimally invasive techniques designed to treat painful vertebral compression fractures, often caused by:

Osteoporosis

Spinal tumors

Traumatic collapse (in pathological bones)

🔹 Vertebroplasty
🩺 Pain Relief Through Bone Cement
This is a pain-relieving injection technique used when a spinal fracture doesn’t respond to rest or medications.

✅ Procedure:

Under image guidance, a special bone cement called PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate) is injected into the fractured vertebra.

The cement stabilizes the bone, reduces movement, and provides rapid pain relief.

✅ Common Indications:
Osteoporotic fractures

Cancer-related vertebral destruction

Non-healing fractures in elderly or fragile patients

🔹 Kyphoplasty
🎈 Restoring Height, Correcting Posture
Kyphoplasty is a step ahead of vertebroplasty.

✅ Procedure:

A balloon is inserted into the collapsed vertebra.

The balloon is inflated to restore lost height.

The cavity is then filled with bone cement (PMMA), just like vertebroplasty.

🏆 Benefits over Vertebroplasty:
Restores spinal alignment and height

Prevents kyphotic deformity (forward bending of the spine)

Better correction of the spine’s sagittal balance

⚖️ Which One Is Right for You?
Both procedures are highly effective but serve different purposes:

Criteria Vertebroplasty Kyphoplasty
Pain Relief ✔️ Immediate ✔️ Immediate
Restores Bone Height ❌ Not possible ✔️ Yes
Prevents Kyphosis ❌ Limited ✔️ Better correction
Cement Injection Direct After balloon inflation
Indications Osteoporotic or tumor Same, with vertebral collapse

🧠 Expert Care at SV Ortho Care
At SV Ortho Care, Dr. VijayKumar D uses advanced imaging and clinical evaluation to determine the most appropriate intervention tailored to your condition—whether it's vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, or a non-invasive treatment.

Don’t ignore persistent back pain after a fracture—minimally invasive solutions may restore your quality of life faster than you think.