Vertebral Augmentation

Vertebral Augmentation (also known as balloon kyphoplasty) is a minimally invasive procedure proven to significantly relieve pain, increase mobility, and improve quality of life without open surgery.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

Clinical outcomes from multiple studies ^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}show that vertebral augmentation results in:

• Rapid and sustained pain relief ^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]}
• Increased mobility ^{[8][9][10][11][12][14]}
• Improved quality of life ^{[8][9][10][11]}
• Low complication rate ^[8][10]

Vertebral augmentation is performed by specialists, including interventional radiologists, neuroradiologists, surgeons, and pain management physicians. During the procedure, one or two balloons are used to create a void or cavity in the collapsed vertebra into which bone cement is injected. The hardened cement creates an internal cast that stabilizes the fracture, thereby alleviating pain in approximately 90 percent of patients.^[15]

Performed through a small incision in the back, vertebral augmentation can be done on an outpatient basis and usually requires only a local anesthetic and mild sedation, eliminating the possible complications that may result from open surgery. In some instances, general anesthesia is advised with a minimal hospital stay. ^[16][17]