Vertebroplasty and Balloon Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty are ways of treating vertebral body compression fractures, which are small breaks in the thick mass of bone that make up the front part of your spinal column (the vertebral body). Vertebral body fractures lead to the collapse or compression of a vertebra, causing your spine to shorten and curve forward. This can result in pain and a kyphotic (hunched-over) deformity. Thinning of bones, or osteoporosis is the main cause of vertebral compression fractures. Pathologic fractures related to spinal tumors may also be a cause.