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What Is Balloon Kyphoplasty?

Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to stabilize selected painful vertebral compression fractures. A small balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebral body and inflated to create a cavity and, in some cases, partially restore vertebral height. The balloon is removed and the space is filled with bone cement, commonly polymethylmethacrylate. The hardened cement supports the weakened vertebra and can reduce pain caused by fracture movement.

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What Is Balloon Kyphoplasty?

Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to stabilize selected painful vertebral compression fractures. A small balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebral body and inflated to create a cavity and, in some cases, partially restore vertebral height. The balloon is removed and the space is filled with bone cement, commonly polymethylmethacrylate. The hardened cement supports the weakened vertebra and can reduce pain caused by fracture movement.

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Why Is Balloon Kyphoplasty Performed?

Balloon kyphoplasty can be considered for selected patients with severe pain from a recent vertebral compression fracture that has not improved adequately with nonsurgical care. Osteoporosis is a common cause, and the procedure can also be used for selected fractures weakened by cancer or other bone disease. Imaging and clinical examination are used to confirm that the painful level corresponds to an active fracture. The procedure is not appropriate for every vertebral fracture, especially when symptoms are improving or another condition is causing the pain.

How Is Balloon Kyphoplasty Performed?

The patient is positioned so the surgeon or interventional specialist can reach the fractured vertebra using fluoroscopic or other image guidance. A needle or working cannula is advanced through the back into the vertebral body, and an inflatable bone tamp is positioned inside the fracture. The balloon is inflated under controlled pressure, then removed after creating a cavity. Bone cement is injected into the cavity while imaging is used to monitor its distribution and reduce the risk of leakage.

What Is Recovery Like After Balloon Kyphoplasty?

Many patients are observed for several hours and can leave the same day or after a short hospital stay, depending on their health and the reason for treatment. Pain from the treated fracture can improve quickly, although soreness at the needle sites can persist temporarily. Walking is commonly encouraged soon after the procedure, while heavy lifting and strenuous activity can be restricted during early recovery. Osteoporosis treatment, fall prevention, physical activity, and other bone-health measures remain necessary because kyphoplasty does not correct the underlying cause of bone weakness.

What Are the Risks and Complications?

Possible complications include infection, bleeding, nerve injury, allergic or anesthesia-related reactions, and persistent pain. Bone cement can leak outside the vertebra and, rarely, compress nerves or enter blood vessels and cause serious complications such as pulmonary cement embolism. Fractures can occur in other vertebrae after treatment, although patients with osteoporosis already have an increased baseline risk of additional fractures. Careful imaging, patient selection, and controlled cement injection help reduce procedural risk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Balloon Kyphoplasty

Is balloon kyphoplasty the same as vertebroplasty?

No. Both procedures stabilize a fractured vertebra with cement, but kyphoplasty first uses an inflatable balloon to create a cavity and can sometimes restore some vertebral height.

Does balloon kyphoplasty fix osteoporosis?

No. It treats a selected vertebral fracture but does not reverse osteoporosis. Bone-strengthening treatment and fracture-prevention measures can still be needed.

Is balloon kyphoplasty open spine surgery?

No. It is generally performed through small skin punctures using image-guided needles or cannulas rather than a large surgical incision.

Can pain continue after balloon kyphoplasty?

Yes. Pain can persist when the fracture does not fully respond, another spinal level is painful, or a different condition is contributing to symptoms.

References

Osteoporosis and Spinal Fractures. OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/osteoporosis-and-spinal-fractures/. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.

Kyphoplasty: What It Is, Purpose, Procedure & Side Effects. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/kyphoplasty. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.

Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures. American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria. https://acsearch.acr.org/docs/70545/Narrative/. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525963/. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.

Clinical Trial Considerations: Vertebral Augmentation Devices to Treat Spinal Insufficiency Fractures. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/clinical-trial-considerations-vertebral-augmentation-devices-treat-spinal-insufficiency-fractures. Date Accessed August 12, 2026.