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Kyphoplasty

West Texas Pain Institute

Pain Management Physicians located in El Paso, TX

More than 750,000 Americans experience a spinal compression fracture each year and suffer from the resulting back pain and mobility issues. At West Texas Pain Institute, in El Paso, Texas, Raul Lopez, MD, offers expert diagnosis and treatments for back pain, including kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure to repair vertebral compression fractures. Call West Texas Pain Institute or schedule a consultation online today to find out if kyphoplasty is right for you.

Kyphoplasty Q & A

What is kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to repair compression fractures in your spine. Dr. Lopez uses kyphoplasty when your back pain isn’t responsive to other treatments, and your compression fracture is getting more severe.

What happens during kyphoplasty?

Dr. Lopez performs kyphoplasty as an outpatient procedure with a local anesthetic. In most cases, you’ll be awake and responsive during the treatment, although Dr. Lopez can provide a sedative to help you relax if necessary.

You lie on your stomach or side while Dr. Lopez cleans your skin and injects a local anesthetic. Then, using fluoroscopy, a type of imaging that involves a contrast dye, Dr. Lopez inserts a biopsy needle into your spine.

When the needle is in place, Dr. Lopez feeds a balloon catheter through the needle and into your fractured vertebrae. He inflates the balloon inside your vertebra to restore its shape and create space for special bone cement.

Dr. Lopez then deflates and removes the balloon, and injects the bone cement into the space it created. The cement strengthens and supports your vertebra, which alleviates your pain.

What should I expect during recovery from kyphoplasty?

Dr. Lopez provides customized aftercare instructions following your kyphoplasty. You’ll need someone to drive you home after your procedure and may want to take a day or two off work to rest and recover. If Dr. Lopez treats more than one vertebra, you may need to stay overnight for observation. In most cases, you can return to your regular activities within a few days, however, you should wait 6-8 weeks before returning to any strenuous exercise or lifting heavy objects.

Am I a candidate for kyphoplasty?

If you have back pain that’s caused by a compression fracture and have exhausted other options, kyphoplasty may be the right choice for you. If you have osteoporosis or a type of cancer that weakens your bones and leads to a spinal compression fracture, Dr. Lopez may recommend kyphoplasty to repair your spine.

If back pain is disrupting your life and keeping you from activities you enjoy, call West Texas Pain Institute or schedule a consultation online today.