Kyphoplasty in Denver, Colorado

Kyphoplasty is a procedure used to repair damaged vertebrae and help them regain their former shape. Such damage is typically caused by a vertebral fracture, cancer treatment, or osteoporosis, all of which can lead to intense pain and limited mobility.

The interventional radiologists at Minimally Invasive Procedure Specialists provide the kyphoplasty procedure to treat a variety of conditions at our interventional radiology office near Denver, CO. Because of our experience patients drive from Lakewood, Aurora, or Centennial area to receive care, please call to schedule an appointment, and learn more about the kyphoplasty procedure and meet with our interventional radiologist at MIPS Center today.

What’s the Difference Between Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty?

Similar to vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that injects a highly specialized cement mixture into the affected vertebrae in order to reinforce it and prevent any further trauma to the spinal cord that is often experienced without treatment.

The major factor that separates vertebroplasty from kyphoplasty is that during vertebroplasty the mixture is injected directly into the bone, whereas kyphoplasty first requires the use of a balloon to create space in the vertebrae before adding the cement. The inflated balloon helps to ensure that the mixture is able to reach all crevasses within the vertebrae while also restoring the vertebrae to their natural height.

What Happens During a Kyphoplasty?

All patients who undergo kyphoplasty will be put under local or general anesthesia to dull the area and relieve any possible pain. Only two small incisions need to be made, which are where a probe will enter into the skin and allow the cement mixture to pass through to the vertebrae. Once in place, the balloon will be expanded and the cement injected.

Throughout this entire process, your doctor at MIPS Center will be monitoring the location of the probe and strengthening substance-using contrast and real-time X-ray or MRI technology. The whole procedure lasts approximately 1 hour or less, after which the patient is typically able to return home so long as there were no unforeseen complications.

Most patients report improved symptoms within 48 hours of completing kyphoplasty.

Kyphoplasty Post-Op Instructions

Please contact the Radiology Department at (720) 528-0775 if you observe any of the following:

• Any pain, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Bleeding or swelling at the procedural site
• Any swelling, discoloration or pain at the procedural site several days post-procedure
• Signs of possible infection such as redness, swelling, heat, red streaks, and/or elevated temperature above 100.5°F consistently

Site Care

• Keep site from any type of water submersion for 1 week (i.e. Baths, hot tubs, pools, lakes)
• Leave site open to air, do Not put a dressing or bandage over the site after 24 hours. Allow the surgical glue to come off by itself. This may take 10-12 days
• For discomfort at site, ice may be applied to the area for 20 minutes out of every hour

Medications

• Resume previous medications
• Continue to take your pain medications and/or muscle relaxants as previously directed for the first few days after the procedure. After this time, try to reduce your medications as tolerated.

Activity Restrictions

• Avoid vigorous physical activity for 24 hours post-procedure
• Avoid lifting anything over 10 lbs for 24 hours post-procedure
• Resume normal activities in a gradual fashion. It is not uncommon for patients to feel much better after the procedure and over-exert themselves. Use good judgment in resuming activities
• It is not uncommon to have muscle soreness for up to 3 weeks after the procedure

Intravenous Site

• Localized irritation of the vein may occur at the site of the intravenous insertions. Warm, moist packs applied 4-6 times per day for 2 days may reduce the pain and irritation.
• Notify your physician if the area continues to be painful or becomes red and/or hot to the touch.

Follow up with your healthcare provider or surgeon as directed: Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits. Follow-up: Contact the Radiology Care Unit at (303) 738-2734 Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 5:00 pm for any questions. For after-hours urgent matters, please call the Radiology Department at (720) 528-0775 and ask for the MIPS Interventional Radiologist on call.

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