What Is Kyphoplasty & Vertebroplasty?
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are image-guided, minimally invasive procedures designed to treat painful vertebral compression fractures, most often caused by osteoporosis, by stabilizing a collapsed vertebra from the inside out. The goal is straightforward and patient-focused: dramatically reduce your pain, stabilize the fracture, and get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.
The key difference lies in creating space within the bone. In a vertebroplasty, Dr. Myers uses real-time X-ray guidance to guide a hollow needle into the fractured vertebra and inject medical-grade bone cement, which hardens quickly to stabilize the fracture. Kyphoplasty adds a vital step where a small orthopedic balloon is gently inflated to restore lost vertebral height before cement is injected, potentially correcting the stooped posture these fractures often cause.
At Spine Solutions in Hollywood, Boca Raton, and Coral Gables, Dr. Myers and our team listen to your story, understand how the fracture has impacted your daily life, and explain every step clearly, ensuring you feel supported and empowered throughout your healing journey.
Conditions We Treat with Kyphoplasty & Vertebroplasty
The most common condition we treat with kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty is osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Osteoporosis is a silent disease that weakens bones to the point where a simple action like a sneeze, bending to tie a shoe, or lifting a light grocery bag can cause a vertebra to suddenly collapse. For patients whose pain does not respond to conservative treatments like bed rest, bracing, or pain medication, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty offer a powerful alternative to break the cycle of immobilizing suffering.
Beyond osteoporosis-related fractures, these techniques can also be highly effective for certain types of pathological fractures. These are fractures that occur in a vertebra weakened by a tumor, whether benign or malignant. While the cement injection will not treat the underlying cancer, it can provide profound mechanical stabilization and pain palliation, offering significant comfort.
In some cases, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are also used to treat painful vertebral hemangiomas, which are benign vascular tumors that can compromise vertebral strength. In every scenario, our approach is rooted in a meticulous diagnostic process to confirm that the source of your pain is the vertebral fracture and that a procedure is the safest and most effective next step for you.
Are You a Candidate for Kyphoplasty & Vertebroplasty?
You may be a candidate for kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty if you have been diagnosed with a painful vertebral compression fracture that correlates with your physical exam findings and has been confirmed on advanced imaging, like an MRI or bone scan, to be active and unhealed.
Ideal candidates are those whose pain has not improved meaningfully with a reasonable trial of conservative care, which might include rest, pain medications, and sometimes bracing. These procedures are most successful when performed on fractures that are relatively new or have not healed on their own.
During your consultation with Dr. Myers, we will review your full medical history, imaging, and personal goals to ensure this path is safe and right for you.
Get Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty in Miami & South Florida
At Spine Solutions, Dr. Myers performs kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty using high-resolution, real-time fluoroscopic X-ray guidance, with meticulous attention to safety and detail, minimizing risk to surrounding nerves and tissues.
What truly defines our care, however, is our commitment to each and every patient that comes to one of our Miami-area clinics in Hollywood, Boca Raton, or Coral Gables. We know that managing a spinal fracture also requires a strategy to treat the underlying cause and prevent future fractures so you can live an active, healthy life.
Request an appointment now to speak with a spine specialist today and learn more about kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty, and all of your options for pain relief at Spine Solutions.
