Kyphoplasty

Spine Surgery in Orange County

Kyphoplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat compression fractures of the spine. These fractures, also known as vertebral compression fractures (VCF) are typically caused by the natural effects of aging and osteoporosis.

When a VCF causes the vertebra to collapse, it can lead to the development of an abnormal forward curve, resulting in a loss in height, poor posture, and severe back pain. Treatment to fix vertebral compression fractures soon after they happen is essential to restoring vertebral body height and size, and to avoiding risks of serious complications or additional fractures.

At the Center for Spine at Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our spine surgeons are Board-Certified experts who specialize in using advanced surgical techniques to help patients find relief from pain, restore mobility, and effectively handle the demands of daily life. As a minimally invasive spine surgery, kyphoplasty should be performed by surgeons who have experience and who have performed many of these procedures, which is why you should place your trust in the spine specialists at Hoag Orthopedic Institute.

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How is Kyphoplasty Performed?

As opposed to traditional open surgery, kyphoplasty is performed though a very small incision, or multiple small incisions, in the back. A thin tube is then inserted through the incision and fluoroscopy, or live imaging, is used to guide the tube into the damaged vertebra.

A medical grade balloon is used to inflate and reposition the vertebra into a more normal shape. The balloon also compacts the soft inner portion of bone in the vertebra and creates a cavity. When the balloon is deflated and removed, cement can be put in its place to fix the vertebral body and allow for it to maintain a normal shape. The cement will harden, the tube will be removed, and the incisions closed. Kyphoplasty takes about an hour per fracture level treated.

Kyphoplasty is performed in an outpatient basis. Following surgery, patients can expect to return to normal activities at the recommendation of their surgeon’s specific instructions, usually after six weeks. Most patients do not require any form of rehabilitation or physical therapy.

Discuss Your Treatment Options with a Spine Surgeon

The quality of care and impressive nurse to patient ratio we provide at the Center for Spine at Hoag Orthopedic Institute is one of the many reasons why top spine surgeons and orthopedic specialists have aligned their practices with our state-of-the-art hospital. Through their expertise and our entire team’s commitment to comprehensive care, we have been able to successfully help numerous residents throughout Orange County and the surrounding areas of Southern California treat their back pain and improve their overall health.

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