Risks of Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty refers to a type of spinal surgery. Relatively minor, it is a minimally invasive form of surgery. The purpose is to treat fractures in vertebrae which have caused the vertebrae to collapse--a condition called vertical compression fracture (VCF), which can lead to curving of the spinal cord and pain and be caused by a number of factors including aging, softness in the bones, or tumors or cancer that weaken the bones.

How

• The kyphoplasty procedure involves restoring the original shape and height of the vertebrae. A balloon tamp is used to do this, and then bone cement is inserted to keep the vertebrae straight. The patient is generally sedated, and an X-ray machine is used to determine the location of the collapsed bones, thus the procedure carries with it the normal risks associated with anesthesia (including a potential allergic reaction or dangerous drop in blood pressure). The doctor makes an incision in the back, inserts a tube near the bone and inserts the balloon tamp. When the tamp is inflated, the vertebrae are pushed back into their normal shape and an empty space is created that is filled with cement.

Prognosis

• Kyphoplasty is generally considered to be a relatively safe, effective method of restoring the spine after VCF. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website, more than 95 percent of patients are satisfied with kyphoplasty. The healing process is minimal, although in some occasions patients have complained of persistent pain following the procedure that lasts longer than 2 weeks. However, this persistent pain may be caused by other factors, including arthritis.

Risks

• The risks and side effects associated with kyphoplasty are relatively rare. In 10 percent of cases, the cement leaks outside the cavity in the vertebrae that it was inserted into. This effect is not known to cause any problems, even if it occurs. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website, there is also a 1 in 10,000 risk that the cement inserted may damage or irritate the spinal cord or nerves, causing pain or even paralysis. Additional surgery may be required to stop this cement leakage should it occur and cause irritation. Finally, there is a small chance that the cement may travel to the lungs.

PMMA cement

• The major risks of the kyphoplasty procedure all relate to the PMMA cement that is inserted into the vertebrae cavity. This cement substance has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for injection into a vertebrae bone.

Limitations

• In addition to the risks, this procedure has only certain limited uses. Kyphoplasty should not be used for young, health patients because the long-term effects are not known. It should also not be used for back pain caused by arthritis, herniated disks or osteoporosis treatment.