What is the Difference Between a Kyphoplasty and a Vertebroplasty?

Question: What is the Difference Between a Kyphoplasty and a Vertebroplasty?

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are members of the same family. Both treat fractures of the spine due to weakness of the vertebral bones. Both inject cement into vertebrae that have experienced compression fracture. Both aim to stop pain and to stabilize the spine.

Answer:

Kyphoplasty

A balloon is inserted into the vertebral body and gently inflated to restore shape and height to the fractured bone. The balloon is then removed and the bone cement injected. This will hold the restored height and shape in place.

Vertebroplasty

The bone cement is injected into the broken areas of bone to stabilize the spine, but no attempt is made to restore the former height of the bone.




Bibliography
Vertebroplasty Series. ADAM Healthcare Center. About.com. Retrieved from: http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/100204.htm January 26, 2006.

2. Kyphoplasty—a new treatment for osteoporotic fractures. Spine-Health Retrieved from: http://www.spine-health.com/research/kyph/kyph01.html January 26, 2006.

3. Kyphoplasty spine surgery animation. Spine-Health Retrieved from: http://www.spine-health.com/dir/kyph.html January 26, 2006. 4. Kyphoplasty. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. July 2005. Retrieved from: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=470&topcategory=Spine January 26, 2006.


Date Created: January 26, 2006.