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Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive approach to relieveing back pain.

Understanding vertebral compression fractures (VCFs)

Most people blame aging as the cause of back pain. However, the true cause may be a vertebral compression fracture (VCF) due to osteoporosis, which affect more than 750,000 individuals in the U.S. each year. Of these, two-thirds will go undiagnosed and untreated.1, 2

As one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body, restoring the spine to its proper alignment is vitally important. Spine fractures are associated with increased mortality,3, 8 reduced lung function,9, 12 chronic pain and impaired quality of life.13, 16 The evidence supports that VCF treatment is more than a pain procedure.

Who is a candidate for the Balloon Kyphoplasty Procedure?

The balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) procedure has been reported to provide patients with significant improvements in pain, mobility and the ability to perform daily tasks. Many patients who undergo BKP are able to walk and return to normal activities soon after surgery.3

Are you experiencing one or more of these symptoms?1,2

  • Sharp, sudden back pain
  • Pain that increases during standing or walking
  • Pain that becomes less intense when lying on back
  • Pain that causes limited spinal mobility
  • Symptoms that do not improve with non-surgical treatment (bed rest, back brace and/or pain medications)

Balloon Kyphoplasty Procedure Overview:
Restoration. Not just relief.

Before the Procedure

Your doctor will do a physical exam and order x-rays and/or other imaging tests4 to determine the location of the fractured vertebra, how recently it occurred and whether or not vertebral augmentation with BKP is the most appropriate treatment.

During the Procedure

Generally, vertebral augmentation with BKP is performed while you are awake but sedated. Your back is numbed by a local anesthetic. Using x-ray guidance, a balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebra through a small incision. The balloon is then inflated, creating a void or cavity. Once the void is established, the balloon is deflated and removed. The void is then filled with bone cement to stabilize the fracture. As it hardens, the cement forms an internal cast that holds the vertebra in place.5 The incision is covered with a bandage.

After the Procedure

You’ll lie on your back for a short period of time while the cement continues to harden. Your vital signs will be monitored. Typically, patients are able to go home within a few hours of treatment.5 Please see the benefits and risks section of the brochure for more information.

Be Inspired by Patients Who Found Relief

Explore real-life stories of how this innovative technology has made a positive impact on their lives, providing hope and relief for those suffering from chronic pain. Find out how the balloon kyphoplasty procedure can help people with chronic pain live fuller lives.

The story is the experience of this individual only. Although this patient did not experience complications, there can be risks and potential complications associated with the use of medical devices. If you are interested in learning more, please consult the experts at Louisiana Pain Care.

Talk with us about this Treatment Option

Schedule a consultation with us or at your next appointment ask if Balloon Kyphoplasty is a treatment option for you.

Schedule a consultation with us or ask if this is a treatment option for you at your next appointment. For more information about interventional spine care, please call Louisiana Pain Care, with convenient locations in Monroe and Ruston. Complete this form or request an appointment by calling (318) 323-6405.

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  1. Boden S. (2013, May 03). When back pain is a spine compression fracture. Retrieved from: https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/osteoporosis/when-back-pain-a-spine-compression-fracture#:~:text=The%20type%20of%20fracture%20in,in%20height%20due%20to%20fracture
  2. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. (2021). Vertebral compression fractures. Retrieved from: https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/vertebral-compression-fractures/.
  3. Pongchaiyakul C et al. Asymptomatic vertebral deformity as a major risk factor for subsequent fractures and mortality: A long-term prospective study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2005; 20(8):1349-1355.
  4. Hasserius R et al. Long-term morbidity and mortality after a clinically diagnosed vertebral fracture in the elderly – a 12 and 22-year follow-up of 257 patients. Calcified Tissue International. 2005; 76(4):235-242
  5. Hasserius R et al. Prevalent vertebral deformities predict increased mortality and increased fracture rate in both men and women: A 10-year population-based study of 598 individuals from the Swedish cohort in the European vertebral osteoporotic study. Osteoporosis International. 2003; 14(1):61-68.
  6. Cauley J et al. Risk of mortality following clinical fractures. Osteoporosis International. 2000; 11(7):556-561.
  7. Kado D et al. Vertebral fractures and mortality in older women: A prospective study. Study of osteoporotic research group. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1999; 159(11):1215-1220.
  8. Center J et al. Mortality after all major types of osteoporotic fracture in men and women: An observational study. Lancet. 1999; 353(9156):878-882.
  9. Watanabe R et al. Restrictive pulmonary dysfunction is associated with vertebral fractures and bone loss in elderly postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis International. 2018; 29(3):625-633.
  10. Krege J et al. Relationship between vertebral fracture burden, height loss, and pulmonary function in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Journal of Clinical Densitometry. 2015; 18(4):506-511.
  11. Alexandru D and So W et al. Evaluation and management of vertebral compression fractures. The Permanente Journal. 2012;16(4):46-51.
  12. Leech J et al. Relationship of lung function to severity of osteoporosis in women. American Review of Respiratory Disease. 1990; 141(1):68-71
  13. Stanghelle B et al. Associations between health-related quality of life, physical function and pain in older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture. BMC Geriatrics. 2019; 19(1):298.
  14. Jung H et al. Quality of life in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Journal of Bone Metabolism. 2017; 24(3):187-196.
  15. Suzuki N et al. The prognosis for pain, disability, activities of daily living and quality of life after an acute osteoporotic vertebral body fracture: Its relation to fracture level, type of fracture and grade of fracture deformation. European Spine Journal. 2009; 18(1):77-88.
  16. Silverman S. The clinical consequences of vertebral compression fracture. Bone. 1992; 13(2):S27-S31.
  17. Ong K et al. Were VCF patients at higher risk of mortality following the 2009 publication of the vertebroplasty “sham” trials? Osteoporosis International. 2018; 29(2):375-383.
  18. Hirsch J et al. Number needed to treat with vertebral augmentation to save a life. American Journal of Neuroradiology. 2020; 41(1):178-182.