Evidence Supports Treatment of Spinal Fractures with Balloon Kyphoplasty

In the older patient presenting with sudden or persistent back pain, a history of primary/secondary osteoporosis should arouse clinical suspicion for spinal fracture. The patient may complain of sudden or insidious onset of back pain unrelated to specific injury. Alternatively, the patient may not offer any complaint of pain, but the clinical exam will reveal spinal deformity.

Multiple spinal fractures can cause height loss, kyphosis (stooped posture), and have been shown to have a deleterious effect on pulmonary function and mobility. (2) Each additional fracture increases future fracture risk and has been associated with decreased quality of life and increased risk of early mortality. (2)

Medical management of the underlying disease is important; however, medical management alone cannot repair fractured bone. Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can reduce pain and repair some, or all, of the associated deformity. Results from a two-year prospective multicenter study demonstrate significant and sustained benefits for spinal fracture patients treated with balloon kyphoplasty.

Learn more about this study - click here

Disclosure: an asterisk (*) denotes that some/all of the authors are paid Kyphon consultants. A cross (†) indicates that research cited may have been funded partially, or in whole, by Kyphon Inc.

1. National Osteoporosis Foundation

* † 2. Garfin SR, Buckley RA, Ledlie J; Balloon Kyphoplasty Outcomes Group. Balloon kyphoplasty for symptomatic vertebral body compression fractures results in rapid, significant, and sustained improvements in back pain, function, and quality of life for elderly patients. Spine. 2006 Sept 1;31(19):2213-20.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks. Although balloon kyphoplasty is designed to minimize these risks as much as possible, there is a chance that complications could occur. Serious adverse events can occur including: myocardial infarction (heart attack), cerebrovascular accident (stroke), pulmonary embolism (cement leakage that migrates to the lungs), cardiac arrest (heart stops beating), paralysis or muscle weakness, death. Patients should consult with their doctor for a full discussion of risks.