Signs of a compression fracture
Many people notice sudden mid- or low-back pain, sometimes after a minor event like bending, lifting, or coughing. The pain is often worse with standing and walking and better when lying down. Over time, multiple fractures can lead to a loss of height or a forward-curved posture.
How these procedures work
Vertebroplasty
Using X-ray guidance, the physician passes a needle into the fractured vertebra and injects medical bone cement, which hardens to stabilize the bone.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty adds one step: a small balloon is first inflated inside the vertebra to create a space, which is then filled with bone cement.
What to expect
- Both are outpatient procedures performed with local anesthetic and sedation.
- You will rest in recovery for a short time before going home with a driver.
- Your provider will review your imaging to decide whether the fracture is likely to benefit, as not every fracture does.
Risks
Possible risks include bleeding, infection, cement leaking outside the bone, and new fractures in nearby vertebrae. Your physician will discuss the benefits, risks, and alternatives with you.
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an evaluation by a medical professional. Results vary, and no treatment works for everyone. Your provider will discuss whether this option is appropriate for you, along with its benefits, risks, and alternatives. Insurance coverage varies by plan — please call to verify.