Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

At the Advanced Center for Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery, our specialty-trained orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Warlick is highly skilled in performing kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty procedures. The Advanced Center for Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery has been performing spinal procedures for more than three decades. That means your spine surgery will be performed by a team whose experience and skill-set is virtually unmatched in Marquette, the surrounding Upper Peninsula, and throughout Northern Michigan.

Vertebroplasty

This procedure is used to treat vertebral fractures in weakened bone. It may be recommended if minimal collapse of the bone has occurred. In the vertebroplasty procedure, the spine surgeon uses intraoperative video X-ray images (fluoroscopy), to guide 1 or 2 needles into the back of the spine. Once the needle(s) are placed into the fractured vertebra bone, cement is then injected into the bone, and allowed to harden. This binds the broken pieces of the bone together, and helps relieve pain. Patients are encouraged to ambulate within a few hours. This is typically an outpatient procedure, with patients going home the same day.

Kyphoplasty

This procedure is also used to treat vertebral fractures in weakened bone. It may be recommended if significant collapse of the bone has occurred. In the kyphoplasty procedure, the spine surgeon uses intraoperative video X-ray images (fluoroscopy), to guide 1 or 2 needles into the back of the spine. Once the needle(s) are placed into the fractured vertebra bone, a balloon is inflated inside the bone to restore the height of the bone, and to create a space for cement placement into the bone. Cement is then injected into the bone, and allowed to harden. This binds the broken pieces of the bone together, and helps relieve pain. Patients are encouraged to ambulate within a few hours. This is typically an outpatient procedure, with patients going home the same day.

To learn more about what to expect when you undergo vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedures, please visit our surgery prep and recovery page and interactive videos.

Specialty Reference:

Spine