Kyphoplasty for Vertebral Compression Fractures
Restore Stability. Reduce Pain. Get Back to Living.
Don't Ignore a Compression Fracture
A vertebral compression fracture can cause sudden, severe back pain that makes standing, walking, or even taking a deep breath difficult. These fractures most commonly occur because of osteoporosis but may also result from trauma or certain cancers affecting the spine.
Without treatment, some compression fractures can lead to ongoing pain, spinal deformity, loss of height, and reduced mobility.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to stabilize the fractured vertebra, reduce pain, and help many patients return to normal daily activities faster.
At Aptiva Health, our spine specialists work together to determine whether conservative care or minimally invasive procedures such as kyphoplasty are the best option for your individual needs.
What Is Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure used to treat certain painful vertebral compression fractures.
During the procedure:
A small opening is made in the back.
A specialized balloon is carefully inserted into the fractured vertebra.
The balloon is gently inflated to create space and may help restore some vertebral height.
Medical-grade bone cement is then injected into the space to stabilize the fracture.
The procedure generally takes less than one hour per treated vertebra and is performed using imaging guidance for precise placement.
Conditions Kyphoplasty May Treat
Kyphoplasty may be appropriate for patients experiencing painful vertebral compression fractures caused by:
Osteoporosis
Certain spinal tumors
Bone weakened by metastatic cancer
Not every compression fracture requires surgery. Many improve with medication, activity modification, bracing, or physical therapy. A spine specialist can determine which treatment is most appropriate.
Signs You May Have a Compression Fracture
Symptoms may include:
Sudden back pain
Pain that worsens while standing or walking
Difficulty bending or twisting
Loss of height
Rounded upper back (kyphosis)
Reduced mobility
Pain after a minor fall or lifting something light
If you've experienced these symptoms—especially if you have osteoporosis—early evaluation is important.
Risks & Benefits of Kyphoplasty
Studies continue to show that kyphoplasty is a relatively safe surgery for helping to restore vertebral height, correct kyphosis deformity, and eliminate pain caused by compression fractures. The overall risk for kyphoplasty-related complications is estimated to be less than 4%. Even though complications are rare, they can potentially be serious and must be considered before agreeing to have kyphoplasty.
potential complications of procedure
Some general surgical risks apply to kyphoplasty, including infection, excessive bleeding, and/or a negative reaction to anesthesia. Other risks that are more specific to the kyphoplasty procedure include:
Bone cement leakage. Sometimes the injected bone cement moves beyond the vertebral compression cracks for which it was intended, but this rarely causes any complications even when it occurs. Compared to a similar procedure called vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty has a lower risk for cement leakage but does not appear to have a lower risk for complications. While bone cement is injected with less pressure during kyphoplasty (and thus more likely to stay within the space of the inflated balloon), the cement leakage that occurs more often with vertebroplasty is still typically minor and unlikely to cause symptoms.
Paralysis. This serious but extremely rare complication can occur in various ways during kyphoplasty if the spinal cord or a nerve root becomes damaged. For example, paralysis could result from a malpositioned instrument during the surgery, or from bone cement that excessively leaks onto the spinal cord or a nerve root.
Pain persists or worsens. In some cases, kyphoplasty either fails to relieve the pain or results in worse pain or other symptoms. For example, if bone cement leaks onto a nerve root or the spinal cord, it could potentially cause worsened symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness.
Pulmonary embolism. If bone cement gets into a vertebral vein, it can potentially travel to the lung and cause an artery obstruction.
Allergic reaction to bone cement or other agents. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to one of the agents used in kyphoplasty, such as the bone cement (PMMA) or the solution used to see the balloon via x-ray.
Is Kyphoplasty Right for You?
You may be a candidate if you:
Have a recent vertebral compression fracture
Continue experiencing significant pain despite conservative treatment
Have imaging confirming a compression fracture
Have difficulty walking or performing daily activities because of pain
Kyphoplasty may not be appropriate for every patient. Your provider will review your symptoms, imaging, and medical history before recommending treatment.
Meet Your Provider: Dr. Steven Ganzel, DO, MS
Specialty: Interventional Pain Management and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Title: Interventional Pain Physician, Aptiva Health
Board Certifications: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; American Board of Pain Medicine
Fellowship: Interventional and Chronic Pain Fellowship (Chief Fellow), Georgia Pain Physicians
Residencies: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Chicago / Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital; Orthopaedic Surgery, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (Chief Resident)
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Master of Science: Exercise Physiology, Sports Medicine emphasis - University of Kentucky
Locations: Louisville Central, Lexington, Northern Kentucky (Hebron), and Indianapolis
Accepting New Patients: Yes
Patients considering kyphoplasty benefit from evaluation by Dr. Steven Ganzel, DO, Aptiva Health's double board-certified interventional pain physician.
Dr. Ganzel is board certified in both Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Interventional Pain Medicine and has an uncommon training background that includes extensive orthopedic surgery residency experience before completing residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and a fellowship in Interventional and Chronic Pain. He performs a wide range of image-guided spine procedures and works closely with Aptiva Health's spine surgeons to help patients determine whether non-surgical treatment, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery is the most appropriate next step.
Patients appreciate Dr. Ganzel's thorough evaluations, individualized treatment plans, and focus on helping people return to the activities they enjoy whenever possible.
What to Expect During Recovery
Recovery after kyphoplasty is typically quicker than many traditional spine procedures.
Most patients:
Go home the same day
Walk shortly after the procedure
Resume light activities within a few days
Continue improving over several weeks
Your recovery timeline will depend on the severity of your fracture, your overall health, and any underlying conditions such as osteoporosis.
If you've been diagnosed with a vertebral compression fracture—or you're experiencing severe back pain after a fall or minor injury—our spine specialists can help determine the cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment options.
Schedule an appointment with Aptiva Health today to learn whether kyphoplasty or another treatment is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is kyphoplasty painful?
The procedure is typically performed using anesthesia or sedation to maximize comfort. Some soreness at the treatment site afterward is common.
Q. How long does a kyphoplasty procedure take?
Most procedures take approximately 30 to 60 minutes for each treated vertebra.
Q. Will kyphoplasty cure osteoporosis?
No.
Kyphoplasty treats the compression fracture but does not treat the underlying osteoporosis. Your provider may recommend additional care to help reduce the risk of future fractures.
Q. How successful is kyphoplasty?
Many appropriately selected patients experience meaningful pain relief and improved mobility after kyphoplasty. Results vary depending on the age of the fracture, overall health, and the underlying cause.
Q. How soon should a compression fracture be treated?
Earlier evaluation is generally recommended because some fractures respond better when treated before significant healing or deformity occurs. Your provider will determine whether kyphoplasty is appropriate based on your imaging and symptoms.
Q. Can compression fractures heal without surgery?
Yes.
Some compression fractures improve with:
Rest
Activity modification
Physical therapy
Bracing
Medication
If pain remains severe or limits daily life despite conservative care, kyphoplasty may be considered.
Q. Why Choose Aptiva Health?
At Aptiva Health, spine care is designed around the patient—not around multiple disconnected appointments.
Our team offers:
Comprehensive spine evaluations
Advanced diagnostic imaging
Interventional pain management
Physical therapy
Orthopedic spine surgery
Personalized treatment plans
Multiple convenient Kentucky and Indiana locations
Same-day appointments when available
Whether your condition requires conservative care, minimally invasive treatment, or surgery, our specialists work together to help you receive the right care at the right time. This integrated approach reflects Aptiva Health's commitment to personalized, patient-centered care and a better healthcare experience.