How Kyphoplasty Treats Spinal Compression Fractures

A broken bone (fracture) is always painful. But when that fracture happens in your spine, the ongoing demands of keeping your body upright and mobile make it particularly painful.

Fortunately, if you develop a compression fracture in one of the vertebral bones in your spine, Dr. Jonathan Carlson has a procedure to help. With kyphoplasty, he can restore the shape and height of a fractured vertebra, easing your pain and improving your mobility. 

If you have persistent back pain, talk with our team here at Hawai’i Pain & Spine on the Windward side of O’ahu in Kailua. Dr. Carlson can help you determine if you have a compression fracture and, if so, whether kyphoplasty could help. 

Understanding compression fractures

When you think about a fracture, or broken bone, you probably picture a traumatic incident. Someone might break an arm falling off a trampoline or out of a tree, for example. But not all fractures develop in an instant.

In the case of a compression fracture, the break often develops over time. The strain of maintaining your upright position might become too much for one of your vertebrae, causing it to fracture. 

Osteoporosis (bone weakness) often plays a role here. You might notice back pain that gradually gets worse or that you seem to stoop over more.

When you break a bone in another part of your body, immobilizing that area helps heal the fracture. With your spine, that’s not an option. You rely on your vertebrae daily to support you.

Fortunately, Dr. Carlson has a different way to correct this type of fracture.

How kyphoplasty can fix your spine 

Also called balloon vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty allows Dr. Carlson to restore the shape and height of one or more fractured vertebrae. That supports your spinal column, helping you move more easily with less pain.

During kyphoplasty, he uses a hollow needle guided by an X-ray to access the affected part of your spine. Using a balloon-like device he inserts through that needle, Dr. Carlson makes space in your compressed vertebra. 

He then injects a medical-grade bone cement into the space. That restores the structural integrity of your vertebra and prevents it from collapsing further. 

This minimally invasive procedure is outpatient, meaning you go home later that day. You can walk the same day too. 

A lot of patients report less pain and better mobility within 48 hours. The recovery process is usually minimal. You might have some soreness for a couple of days, but most people can manage it effectively with ice packs. 

If you live with a compression fracture and all of the pain and mobility loss it causes, it’s time to make a change. To talk with Dr. Carlson and see if kyphoplasty is right for you, call our office today to schedule your appointment at Hawai’i Pain & Spine.