Osteoporosis is a public health problem. It is a skeletal disorder characterized by compromise to the bone strength. The most common type of fracture is a vertebral compression fracture. There are several hundred thousand of these fractures each year in the United States.

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures lead to spinal deformity, which cause pain and impaired function and decrease the patient's overall mobility. Eventually, the patient may develop depression; suffer pain, anxiety, diminished social role and increased dependence on others.

In the past, the treatment of vertebral compression fractures was limited to bed rest, narcotics, physical therapy and braces.

Kyploplasty has been developed for patients with vertebral compression fractures acute (new) or chronic (old).  It is typically performed in the thoracic and lumbar spines (middle and low back). It can be performed using general or local anesthesia.

In this procedure, a small cannula is introduced into the fractured fragment of the spine. A balloon is inflated, realigning the fractured body and restoring the vertebral height. This reduces the overall spinal deformity and creates a void in which the physician injects cement to stabilize the vertebrae.

Patients generally have a good result, obtain pain relief, and return to their normal activities.