Saints Breakthrough Treatment

Kyphoplasty surgery improves spinal health

For those coping with spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis or cancer, a new surgical procedure now performed at Saints Medical Center reports encouraging results. Known as kyphoplasty (ki´-foe-plas-tee), this safe and simple procedure uses minimally invasive techniques to reconstruct and stabilize collapsed vertebrae in the spine.

The procedure requires only two small incisions in the back and the insertion of a tube into the affected vertebrae. A balloon inside the tube is gently inflated, pushing the vertebrae open to create a new cavity. The surgeon uses a special bone cement to fill the new space. Most surgical wounds are closed with a single stitch. Even better, patients usually go home the same day as the surgery.

"Kyphoplasty is recommend only for older patients with vertebrae collapse or facture due to osteoporosis or a cancerous tumor," said Mark Lapp, MD, an orthopedic surgical specialist at SMC. "We see excellent results in the procedure's ability to prevent further fracture and keep the spine in proper alignment." Nationally, nearly 95 percent of patients get immediate relief of pain with this procedure.