Kyphoplasty is a medical procedure designed to restore the shape and stability of a vertebra that has collapsed due to a compression fracture. In this procedure, a small balloon is carefully inserted into the fractured vertebra and then gently inflated. This creates space within the bone and helps lift it back toward its normal height, reducing the wedge shape caused by the fracture. Once the space is created, the balloon is removed and the cavity is filled with a special bone cement, which hardens quickly to stabilize the vertebra.
The purpose of kyphoplasty is to improve the structure of the spine and reduce the pain that often comes from vertebral collapse. By reinforcing the weakened vertebra with cement, the procedure helps restore alignment and prevents further collapse at that level. Many patients also notice improved mobility after the procedure, since stabilizing the fractured bone can make movement less painful and easier to manage.
