Fracture pain
A cracked vertebra from osteoporosis or minor trauma can hurt severely with movement. Stabilising it addresses the pain at its source.
Treatments · Percutaneous Spine Procedures
Kyphoplasty & Vertebroplasty
Minimally invasive cement-based stabilisation for vertebral fractures.
What it is
Splinting a broken vertebra from inside
When a vertebra cracks — most often from osteoporotic bone giving way under ordinary load — kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty stabilise it with bone cement placed through needles, relieving the movement-related pain of the fracture.
Cement stabilisation
Medical-grade bone cement injected into the vertebra hardens there, internally splinting the fracture.
Kyphoplasty adds height
Where the vertebra has collapsed, a small balloon first restores some height before the cement is placed.
Minimally invasive
Both are performed through needles under imaging guidance — no open surgery, no hardware.
What to expect
A needle procedure under imaging
Performed with local anaesthesia and sedation as needed, with X-ray guiding every step.
01
Guided placement
Needles enter the fractured vertebra through small skin punctures under continuous X-ray guidance.
02
Balloon, then cement
In kyphoplasty a balloon gently re-expands the bone and is removed; cement then fills the space. Vertebroplasty places cement directly.
03
Aftercare
Brief observation, then movement as advised. Report fever, worsening pain or new neurology promptly — and bone health is assessed alongside.
Common questions
Things patients ask us
Which do I need — kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty?
It depends on the fracture: degree of collapse, age and shape decide whether height restoration adds value. Your surgeon explains the recommendation.
How long does the relief last?
Fracture pain often improves substantially once the vertebra is stabilised. The underlying bone fragility still needs its own assessment and care.
What are the risks?
Cement leakage outside the vertebra is the specific concern and the reason for meticulous imaging control; infection and bleeding are uncommon.
Will my other vertebrae fracture too?
One fragility fracture raises the question for the rest of the spine — which is why bone density assessment and bone health care accompany treatment.
Could this help you?
Send your imaging and history. The ProSpine team will review your case and respond with the next steps.
Free · No obligation · Reviewed by the ProSpine team