Patient's Guide To
Spinal Fractures & Kyphoplasty

Benefits of Balloon Kyphoplasty

After the Procedure

Typical postoperative care involves the following:

  • After the procedure, you will most likely be transferred to the Recovery Room for about an hour. A specially trained nurse will monitor your condition and assess the degree to which your back pain has been alleviated.
  • During your hospital stay, you will be encouraged to walk and move about. Generally, patients are discharged from the hospital within 24 hours.
  • Your doctor will have you schedule a follow-up visit and explain limitations, if any, on your physical activity. After treatment with balloon kyphoplasty, mobility is often quickly improved. Most patients are very satisfied with the procedure and are able to gradually resume activity once discharged from the hospital.

incision sites
Incision sites after Balloon Kyphoplasty

Procedure Benefits:

  • Significant reduction in back pain
  • Significant improvement in quality of life
  • Significant improvement in mobility
  • Significant improvement in ability to perform activities of daily living

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. Be sure to discuss the possible risks with your doctor. Also, please note that not all patients are candidates for balloon kyphoplasty.

Last Updated: 06/23/2008