Benefits of Kyphoplasty for Spinal Fractures
Falling your way into a spinal fracture may be one of the most excruciating orthopedic pains. Spinal fractures are serious orthopedic concerns that occur 1.5 million times each year in the United States. In most cases, patients usually opt for surgical or drug therapies to treat spinal fractures.
However, interventions with medications have multiple side effects and, in most cases, may not impact the quality of life significantly. Similarly, surgical interventions do not correct spinal deformities and effective stabilization. If you’ve been looking for a suitable, long-lasting, and more effective solution for the treatment of spinal fractures, then read on.
What Is Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for treating various types of fractures, such as vertebral compression fractures. Kyphoplasty is effective in treating patients with weakened bones or collapsed vertebrae that occurred as a result of conditions such as osteoporosis or cancers.
How Does Kyphoplasty Work for Spinal Fracture?
Kyphoplasty restores functionality to fractured vertebrae using modern techniques. The process involves using fluoroscopy to target a hollow needle (usually called a trocar) into specific areas of your bone. Then a space for bone cement is created with the aid of an inflatable balloon which is inserted into the trocar.
As soon as the balloon is in place, a bone cement mixture is injected to fill up the balloon. In most cases, imaging tests are used to guide the procedure to ensure the mixture is distributed properly. The area is then bandaged with or without stitches.
Benefits of Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty is a safe, long-lasting, and effective procedure for treating patients with spinal fractures. This procedure has the following benefits:
Shorter Treatment Time
Kyphoplasty usually takes about one hour per vertebra to complete. The process is only minimally invasive, image-guided, and usually involves the administration of general anesthesia.
Hence, once appropriately done, the procedure is error-free, painless, and without adverse side effects compared to most typical surgical procedures. The administered bone cement hardens in a matter of minutes and provides immediate stability and pain relief from the compressed vertebrae.
Faster Recovery Period
Kyphoplasty ensures quick realignment of or reconstruction of the compressed vertebrae bone. Although your recovery period may vary depending on the nature, and severity of the condition and the presence of severe cases of existing medical conditions such as osteoporosis.
But, converging lines of evidence have shown that patients usually resume normal activities only a few days after the procedure. Usually, spinal pain will start to ease off two to three days after the procedure as your spine regains stability.
Significant & Sustained Pain Reduction
Kyphoplasty has been shown to improve outcomes for people with various types of spinal fractures. In fact, patients can notice significant pain reduction and ease of discomfort only hours after the procedure.
Improved Quality of Life
Beyond pain and disability that is associated with compression fractures, it results in devastating health outcomes, widely diminished quality of life, and decreased independence and physical function. Common approaches, such as chiropractic or medication management, can only provide minimal relief. Kyphoplasty, on the other hand, addresses the root cause of the problem at the spinal cord or nerve level to provide long-lasting relief and significant improvements in quality of life.
At Hadi Medical Group, we specialize in interventional pain management therapies that are specific to patient needs. Contact us for kyphoplasty in Plainview, and feel free to schedule an appointment with us today.