Balloon Kyphoplasty

The balloons are carefully inflated in an attempt to raise the collapsed vertebra, returning it to its normal position

About 10 million people in the United States are estimated to have osteoporosis – a disease in which bones become fragile, weak and more likely to break.

When fractures occur in the spinal column, the upper part of the back between the shoulders may deform. If left untreated, the fractures will continue to cause stooped posture and potentially chronic pain.

Balloon Kyphoplasty is an innovative way to treat these fractures. The minimally invasive treatment can reduce back pain and improve mobility. The procedure uses orthopedic balloons to gently move the fractured bone back to the correct position. With a small instrument, physicians create a narrow pathway into the fractured bone. A balloon is guided through the instrument into the vertebra. Physicians inflate the balloon in an attempt to raise the collapsed verterbra and return it to its normal position.

The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving a cavity. Physicians fill the cavity with a special cement to support surrounding bone and prevent future collapse.

The incision site is about one centimeter long, and the procedure usually takes less than one hour per fracture to perform.  

At Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Dr. John Bodine, Dr. Zuzana Chamrova, Dr. Zina Novak and Dr. Christopher Urban perform the procedure. For more information, call 410-787-4367.