Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. It is designed to stabilise the fracture and help correct the deformity in the vertebral body. Many patients experience an immediate improvement in their back pain following a balloon kyphoplasty.

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures often occur without any history of notable trauma. They can cause significant pain. In most patients the pain improves within 6 weeks as the fracture starts to heal. We would consider balloon kyphoplasty if:

• The patient is unable to tolerate the pain
• X-rays show that there is progressive collapse of the vertebral body
•  The pain is not improving after 4-6 weeks

A fracture can usually be clearly seen on an x-ray. However, x-ray does tell us whether the fracture is acute or healed. If we are considering treating a fracture with balloon kyphoplasty then a MRI scan is required first, as this allows us to determine if the fracture is acute or not.

Before you come into Hospital

If you are on any medication that has the potential to thin your blood such as aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin or any other blood thinning medication then we do need to know about this prior to the date of your injection as this will usually need to be stopped prior to your operation.

If you take anti-inflammatory tablets then you must stop taking them 7 days before your surgery.

How do we do a Balloon Kyphoplasty?

A balloon kyphoplasty is normally carried out under general anaesthetic, though it can be done using sedation and local anaesthetic. The patient is positioned on their front on the operating table.

A small (less than 1cm) incision is made in your back, and a small opening is made into the fractured bone. A small balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebral body. This balloon is carefully inflated to correct the fracture deformity of the collapsed vertebral body. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving a small cavity within the vertebral body. This cavity is then filled with bone cement, which stabilizes the fractured vertebrae.

These steps are performed on both sides of the spine. The procedure is carried out under x-ray guidance. Generally, the procedure takes about 45 minutes. The wounds will be closed with butterfly stitches. There will be no stitches that need to be removed.

What are the Risks?

Infection

The risk of infection is less than 1%. All patients receive a dose of intravenous antibiotics when they are going off to sleep. If you develop an infection it is most likely to be a superficial wound infection that will resolve with a short course of oral antibiotics.

Bleeding

Blood loss is usually minimal with a balloon kyphoplasty

DVT

Developing blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis – DVT) is a risk of any surgery. We worry about DVTs as bits can break off a travel around your body. This is called an embolus. An embolus can affect your breathing, cause you to have a stroke, and could potentially be fatal. DVTs occur in approximately 1 in 200 patients having back surgery. An embolus is a much less common occurrence. We minimize the risk of DVT by asking patients to wear hospital stockings following their surgery (TEDS), and mechanical pumps during and immediately after surgery. These pumps squeeze your lower legs, helping the blood to circulate. They are put on when you go to sleep and stay on until you start to mobilize. We encourage early mobilization as this also helps to prevent DVTs. If a patient is considered to be high risk for a DVT then we will prescribe blood thinning medication for a couple of weeks after your surgery.

Nerve Injury

The opening made into the fracture bone is very close to the emerging spinal nerves. In doing this there is a risk of physical damage to the nerve. This can lead to loss of nerve function with persisting pain, weakness, and numbness in the territory of that nerve. This risk is kept to a minimum by the use of x-ray.

Cement Leakage

When injecting the bone cement there is a chance that some of it may leak out of the vertebral body. If this happens it can cause compression of the nerves resulting in leg pain. This may require further surgery to remove the piece of cement. The use of the balloon technique keeps the risk of cement leakage to a minimum.

Back Pain

Balloon kyphoplasty is intended to treat your acute fracture pain. It will not relieve you of any other back pain that you may have due to pre-existing wear and tear.

Adjacent Level Fracture

Having had a vertebral compression fracture, you are at risk of having further fractures at adjacent levels.

What Can I Expect Following my Balloon Kyphoplasty Procedure?

When you wake up following your operation you will feel bruised in your back. We try and minimize this by injecting local anaesthetic around the wound. Many patients report an immediate improvement in their back pain.

What Next?

If you have sustained an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture and are not on any treatment for osteoporosis then you should make an appointment to see your GP to discuss whether or not you should be on treatment.

Driving

There is no restriction with the DVLA, though there will be with your insurance company. You will need to be able to undertake an emergency stop, and be in complete control of your car at all times without being distracted by pain. If this is not the case then your insurance will NOT be valid.

Flying

You should not fly for 2-weeks following your surgery. You should not undertake any long haul flights for

6-weeks. If traveling on a long haul flight within 6-months of your operation then you should wear your hospital stockings when flying.

Follow-Up

You should not fly for 2-weeks following your surgery. You should not undertake any long haul flights for

6-weeks. If traveling on a long haul flight within 6-months of your operation then you should wear your hospital stockings when flying.