A person’s spine can undergo a compressed fracture caused by osteoporosis, significant trauma or a spinal infection. The immediate solutions for these issues are vertebral augmentation surgeries. These procedures are minimally invasive, and the patients spend at most a single overnight stay after them. There are two main types of surgeries, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, which are similar and create the same results but possess some distinctions. Patients can benefit from learning more about these procedures.
What Is Vertebroplasty?
During vertebroplasty, the surgeon injects a bone cement through the skin and into the fractured vertebrae. The most commonly used substance is polymethyl methacrylate, but other modern types of cement are also just as effective. Once the material hardens, it creates a cast that brings back stability and support to the patient’s spine. Additionally, vertebroplasty relieves pain and increases the patient’s mobility.
What Is Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a similar procedure that also involves the injection of PMMA or similar substances into the affected back bones. Before the cement fill, a small balloon is inserted and carefully inflated inside the fracture. This procedure creates a small opening within the fractured bone. The specialist then carefully deflates the balloon, removes it and inserts the mixture in the newly formed cavity. This is also an outpatient surgery that brings stability, mobility and pain relief to the patient.
Is There a Significant Difference?
For the most part, both vertebral augmentation surgeries involve the same tools, methods and results. However, kyphoplasty jacksonville fl involves the use of balloons that specifically help prevent kyphosis, a deformation that curves the spine caused by osteoporosis. This individual procedure also restores lost vertebral height, allows the use of thicker cement and reduces overall pressure on the area.
Conditions such as osteoporosis, back tumors and severe injuries can create fractures that necessitate particular methods. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are two of the most well-known vertebral augmentation procedures that can help patients stop the pain and regain movement and stability fast.