Difference Between Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty

Kyphoplasty vs Vertebroplasty

There are a number of things that we do today that makes up for bad posture as we age. For women, they are more prone to osteoporosis and eventually kyphosis by the time they stop menstruating. Menstruation itself is a process that depletes calcium deposits in the body and overall, contributes to women’s propensity for osteoporosis. For people not to have a bad posture and end up having osteoporosis as they reach the twilight of their lives, it would be suggested that they do regular workouts in order to get the calcium from the bloodstream into the bones and secondly, get enough calcium intake from food like dairy products.

The consequence of having a poor calcium intake would be fragile bones. One of the most common occurrences in geriatric patients is fracture. Sometimes, the fracture occurs way before the fall happens. This simply means that the person lost balance because of an already damaged pelvis (most commonly) or even spine!

There are two minimally invasive procedures meant for the geriatrics, especially for those faced with orthopedic problems. Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are two seemingly similar interventions that both pertain to orthopedic cases. On closer look however, these two procedures differ from one another. Both the kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are surgical operations that are minimally invasive. Both procedures involve a cement material going into the fractured vertebra with the aim of relieving compressions.

What makes kyphoplasty different from vertebroplasty is the fact that kyphoplasty also aims to regain the height of the patient. The name kyphoplasty means to repair kyphosis. Thus, not only does it relieve the pain but it also straightens out the posture of the patient. The main difference between kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in terms of procedure would have to be kyphoplasty’s need for a balloon. The balloon will be used to create a void into the vertebra where the cement will eventually be placed. Unlike in vertebroplasty where the cement would go percutaneously or under the skin, the cement is typically placed directly into the void for kyphoplasty.

There has been controversial feedback when it comes to kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. For the patients where the tests were conducted by medical researchers, they found out that the procedures really don’t take away the pain felt from compression fractures. According to their findings, it was only a placebo effect that caused the relief of pain. Even with such findings, these two procedures are still being conducted in different medical institutions all over the world.

1. There are a number of things that may cause a bone to break.
2. Women are more prone to osteoporosis and also to bone fractures.
3. Calcium intake is important in order to prevent osteoporosis and also bone fractures.
4. Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty are quite similar in terms of preventing pain coming from compression fractures.
5. Kyphoplasty however uses a balloon before filling the cancellous bone’s void with a cement material.
6. Kyphoplasty also corrects the body’s posture and height.