What to Expect Before, During, and After Kyphoplasty

Spinal compression fractures can be a source of severe back pain, whether they’re the result of osteoporosis, traumatic injury, or something else. And when conservative treatment doesn’t make a difference in your pain, your provider might recommend minimally invasive surgery like kyphoplasty.

Kyphoplasty is a procedure that stabilizes compression fractures and restores some of the lost height in your collapsed bone, and it can provide significant pain relief within hours. Our team at Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care offers this innovative option for spinal compression fractures, and understanding what happens before, during, and after can help you prepare both mentally and physically.

How to prepare before kyphoplasty

Before scheduling your kyphoplasty procedure, we do an exam and consultation to understand your condition. We explain the procedure, discuss potential risks and benefits, and answer your questions.

In the days and weeks leading up to your kyphoplasty, you undergo several preparatory steps. We order imaging studies including X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scans to precisely locate your fractures and plan the procedure. These images show exactly which vertebrae are fractured and whether kyphoplasty is appropriate for your specific situation.

You give us a complete medical history and list of current medications, and we let you know if you need to make any adjustments ahead of your procedure. For example, you may need to temporarily stop taking blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications, or other drugs that increase bleeding risk.

We also give you fasting instructions, which typically means no food or drink after midnight the night before your morning procedure. This empty stomach requirement ensures safe anesthesia administration. It’s also important to arrange for someone to drive you home afterward, as you won't be able to drive yourself due to the sedation and anesthesia effects.

During your kyphoplasty procedure

On the day of your procedure, you arrive at our surgical facility and change into a hospital gown. We place an intravenous (IV) line in your arm to deliver fluids, sedation, and any necessary medications.

You meet with the anesthesiologist who explains your anesthesia options. In most cases, patients receive either general anesthesia where they’re completely asleep, or conscious sedation combined with local anesthesia where they're deeply relaxed but not fully unconscious.

In the procedure room, you lie face down on a special table. We clean and sterilize your back, then use fluoroscopy (live X-ray imaging) to guide a hollow needle through a small incision in your skin into the fractured vertebra.

Once the needle is positioned correctly, we insert a small balloon through it and into the collapsed vertebra. The surgeon carefully inflates the balloon, creating a cavity within the bone and restoring some of the vertebral height that was lost when it collapsed.

We deflate and remove the balloon, then inject thick bone cement into the cavity that’s left behind. The cement hardens within minutes, stabilizing the fracture and providing immediate structural support. If you have multiple fractures, we repeat this process for each affected vertebra.

Kyphoplasty typically takes one to two hours depending on how many vertebrae we need to treat. Each incision is less than a quarter-inch long, and they usually require only a small bandage or single stitch to close.

What to expect after kyphoplasty

We move you to a recovery area and monitor your vital signs as the anesthesia wears off. You lie flat on your back for a period of time to allow the bone cement to fully harden and cure. During this time, we watch for any complications and monitor your pain level.

Many people notice significant pain relief almost immediately, even before leaving the recovery area. The stabilization of your fractured vertebra eliminates the movement and instability that was causing much of your discomfort.

Once you're fully awake and stable, we help you stand and walk, evaluating your ability to move safely. Most kyphoplasty patients go home the same day, though some may stay overnight for observation depending on their overall health and the complexity of treatment.

During the first 24 hours after kyphoplasty, plan to rest at home and avoid strenuous activity. You can walk around your house and perform light daily activities, but you shouldn't lift heavy objects, bend excessively, or twist your back.

Within a few days, you can gradually increase your activity level. Most people return to normal daily activities within a week. Make sure to attend your scheduled follow-up appointments, where we take X-rays to confirm your vertebrae are stable once your body has healed.

We may recommend physical therapy to strengthen your back muscles, improve posture, and reduce your risk of future fractures. If osteoporosis caused your compression fracture, you may work with your doctor on treatment to improve bone density and prevent additional fractures.

The dramatic pain relief kyphoplasty provides can help you stand straighter, move more comfortably, and return to activities you'd given up. Find out if it’s a good option for you with a consultation at Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care in Hobart, La Porte, Merrillville, Munster, and Valparaiso, Indiana. Call or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.