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“This procedure, called kyphoplasty, helps restore alignment of the broken vertebral body and eliminates or significantly reduces pain,” said Nathaniel L. Tindel, M.D., director, Spinal Surgery, MMC. “It greatly improves quality of life for patients, and is easier to control and safer than previous options,” he said.
According to Dr. Tindel, more than 700,000 spinal fractures occur each year in the United States and almost 85 percent of these fractures are caused by osteoporosis.As vertebral fractures occur, the spine compresses and falls forward causing kyphosis or a “dowager’s hump.” The current standard of care for vertebral compression fracture is bed rest, pain medication and a back brace.
“While this may help manage the pain for the broken bones, it does not correct the resulting deformity,” said Dr. Tindel.Of the two modern procedures used to help correct these fractures, vertebroplasty was introduced to the U.S. in the 1990s, and involves the use of bone filler that is injected directly, under pressure, into the broken vertebral body.
Kyphoplasty uses minimally invasive techniques to insert an inflatable balloon into the fractured vertebrae. As the balloon inflates, it creates a pocket or “void” and restores some of the previous alignment of the broken vertebral body. Bone filler is then injected into the void to provide permanent support for the spinal column.
About Montefiore Medical Center
Montefiore Medical Center, The University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is an internationally recognized leader in patient care, education, research and community services. Located in the Bronx, Montefiore provides treatment programs for patients with all major illnesses and has distinguished centers of excellence in heart care, cancer care, children’s health, women’s health and surgery.
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Director, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery,
CHAM
We're known around the world for successfully separating Carl and Clarence Aguirre, born joined at the tops of their heads. Our specialists care daily for children with brain tumors, spinal cord injuries and craniofacial deformities.
