Vertebral compression fractures cause severe pain and may lead to spinal deformity. Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for painful vertebral compression fractures that may alleviate the discomfort and prevent further changes to your spine. Triple board-certified pain management expert Keith Schmidt, MD, at Ascension Comprehensive Pain Management Program in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, performs kyphoplasty. To learn more about the minimally invasive procedure and how it may alleviate your back pain, contact the office by phone or schedule an appointment online today.
request an appointmentWhat is kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that treats vertebral compression fractures, which are wedge-shaped fractures that lead to kyphosis (humped spine) when left untreated.
During kyphoplasty, Dr. Schmidt injects a special cement into your spine that restores normal vertebral height and alleviates pain.
Am I a good candidate for kyphoplasty?
When you see Dr. Schmidt at Ascension Comprehensive Pain Management Program for a vertebral compression fracture consultation, he conducts a thorough evaluation to determine the best treatment for you.
He may consider you a candidate for the minimally invasive procedure if you have a painful vertebral compression fracture that interferes with your daily activities. He performs the procedure for people who developed the vertebral compression fracture from osteoporosis or metastatic cancer.
You may not be a good candidate for the procedure if you have a bone infection or a fracture fragment in your spinal canal.
What can I expect during kyphoplasty?
Dr. Schmidt develops individualized treatment plans specific to your needs and at your consultation, reviews what you can expect during your kyphoplasty.
In general, he performs the kyphoplasty using intravenous anesthesia to help you feel relaxed during the procedure.
Once properly sedated, Dr. Schmidt places a needle into your spine in the area of your fracture using X-ray guidance. He then inserts a balloon into your vertebrae, inflates it to restore vertebral height, and injects a special cement to maintain the height.
After your kyphoplasty, Dr. Schmidt sends you to the recovery area for observation and then discharges you home. In some cases, he may recommend an overnight stay at the hospital.
What happens after kyphoplasty?
You may experience some post-surgical soreness following your kyphoplasty, but the side effects should disappear within a few days. Though results vary, many patients experience a significant improvement in pain soon after the minimally invasive procedure.
Dr. Schmidt schedules regular follow-up appointments following your kyphoplasty to monitor your progress and provide additional treatments or therapies as needed.
To get relief from your painful vertebral compression fracture, call Ascension Comprehensive Pain Management Program, or schedule your kyphoplasty consultation online today.
Kyphoplasty in Hoffman Estates, IL
Dr. Keith Schmidt performs kyphoplasty procedures for patients with vertebral compression fractures in Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, and the greater northwest Chicago suburbs. This minimally invasive procedure can provide rapid pain relief and restore vertebral height lost due to compression fractures.
Who Is a Candidate for Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty may be recommended if you have:
- Vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis — the most common indication
- Acute or subacute fracture pain that hasn’t responded to conservative treatment after 2-4 weeks
- Progressive spinal deformity (kyphosis) causing postural changes and balance issues
- Cancer-related vertebral fractures from metastatic disease or multiple myeloma
Benefits of Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty offers several advantages over traditional fracture management: rapid pain relief (often within 24-48 hours), restoration of vertebral body height, reduced spinal deformity, improved mobility, and a quick return to daily activities. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis with minimal recovery time.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a vertebral compression fracture, schedule a consultation with Dr. Keith Schmidt or call (847) 981-3630.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kyphoplasty
What is kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures, most commonly caused by osteoporosis. A small balloon is inflated within the collapsed vertebra to restore some of its lost height, and bone cement is then injected to stabilize the fracture. Pain relief is often dramatic and rapid.
Who is a candidate for kyphoplasty?
Patients with painful vertebral compression fractures that haven’t responded to a few weeks of conservative care — bracing, medications, and rest — are typically candidates. The procedure works best when the fracture is relatively recent (within 3-6 months) and the pain is clearly localized to the fracture site on examination and imaging.
How long does kyphoplasty take?
The procedure itself usually takes 30 to 60 minutes per vertebra. Total time at the surgery center, including preparation and recovery, is typically 2 to 3 hours.
Is kyphoplasty painful?
The procedure is done under local anesthesia and sedation, so you don’t feel the work being performed. Most patients have only mild soreness at the small incision sites afterward, controlled with over-the-counter pain medications. The fracture pain itself often improves immediately.
How quickly will I feel relief after kyphoplasty?
Many patients notice substantial pain relief within 24 to 48 hours. The full benefit usually develops over the first 1 to 2 weeks as the swelling and inflammation around the fracture subside.
What is the recovery time after kyphoplasty?
Most patients are walking within hours of the procedure and return to normal activities within a week. We typically ask you to avoid heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks while the surrounding tissues heal. There is no extended bed rest required.
What are the risks of kyphoplasty?
Risks include cement leakage from the vertebra (usually asymptomatic), infection (rare), bleeding, and very rarely, neurological injury if cement migrates near the spinal canal. Image guidance throughout the procedure minimizes these risks. Most patients have no significant complications.
Can kyphoplasty fail?
The procedure successfully relieves pain in most patients, but some don’t respond — usually because the pain is coming from somewhere other than the targeted fracture, or because the fracture has been present too long. We do careful diagnostic work before scheduling kyphoplasty to maximize the chance of a good result.
Does insurance cover kyphoplasty?
Yes. Major insurance plans including Medicare cover kyphoplasty for documented vertebral compression fractures when conservative care has been tried. Our office handles prior authorization.
What’s the difference between kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty?
Both procedures stabilize a fractured vertebra with bone cement. The key difference: in kyphoplasty, a balloon is inflated first to create a cavity and partially restore the vertebra’s height before cement is injected; in vertebroplasty, cement is injected directly without using a balloon. Kyphoplasty allows lower-pressure cement delivery and some restoration of the vertebra’s shape.