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Table of Contents
Recovery Timeline
Coping With Recovery
Wound Care
A surgery forspine compression fracture, kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive outpatient surgery technique that repairs and reinforces damaged and collapsed vertebrae.Though pain relief is rapid after the procedure, complete recovery is expected within four to six weeks, though most are able to return to work significantly sooner.
That said, the post-operative period does entail follow-up and physical therapy in many cases, with patients needing to actively participate in their recovery. If you’re consideringkyphoplastyor are planning on having it done, it’s important to understand what life looks like afterward.
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In kyphoplasty, a balloon is inserted through a small incision to separate the compressed spine and restore the vertebrae’s height. Bone cement is then injected to stabilize the vertebrae.The procedure is done under moderate sedation and usually takes about 30 minutes.
Because kyphoplasty isn’t an open procedure, patients usually don’t need to spend the night in the hospital. As with any surgery, follow-up is important as healthcare providers need to ensure that symptoms have been managed and that there are no complications.
To ensure that the vertebra or vertebrae are repaired, there are a couple of steps to follow up:
Call 911 if you feel paralysis in your legs, severe chest pain, and disrupted breath, as well as a loss of bladder control.
Communication is absolutely critical as you recover, so don’t hesitate to report any issues to or ask questions of your healthcare providers.
Given that kyphoplasty takes on vertical spine fractures (usually associated withosteoporosis, a progressive weakening of the bones), it stands to reason that there will be physical limitations necessary as the body recovers. It’s important to get a full sense of what you can and cannot do as you get back on track. Typically, the progression of recovery looks like this:
First 24 Hours
Kyphoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure. A couple of hours after surgery, most patients are able to walk.As you have been sedated for the surgery, you will need a trusted person to drive you home.
Within the first day of surgery, you should focus on rest and avoid lifting anything that causes any sort of strain, such as groceries, milk jugs, or heavy boxes.
There won’t be any dietary restrictions after surgery.
One Day to Four to Six Weeks
Most can gradually resume normal behaviors and non-strenuous activities about a day after the procedure, though they may still feel some residual soreness. Pain relief is expected within a few days of the procedure.
You will need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for four to six weeks.If you are unsure of how heavy of objects you should avoid lifting, ask your healthcare provider.
If your work does not involve heavy lifting or strain, you should be able to return to it in two to three days. You should avoid driving if you are on any narcotic painkillers.
During this time, however, you should be careful about the exercises you do and follow any physical therapy guidance you’ve received. Throughout recovery, you’ll likely be taking special vitamins and minerals to promote bone health.
After Four to Six Weeks
Barring complications or any other issues, complete and total recovery is expected at four to six weeks. At this point, you can resume strenuous exercise and will largely be free to be as active as you’d like.
However,back painmanagement can be an extensive management, and you’ll need to keep up with exercises to help prevent the return of any pain.
Recovery from kyphoplasty varies from person to person, so make sure you talk to your healthcare provider about what this will look like for you.
During recovery from kyphoplasty, there can be challenges on two fronts: pain management and mental health. Primarily, these are taken on with medications, icing, physical therapy, and counseling.
Medications
Soreness, pain, and discomfort are common after kyphoplasty, and your healthcare provider will go over how best to take this on. You may be prescribed stronger painkillers or be encouraged to use prescription-strength or over the counter drugs, such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or others. Make sure to stick carefully to your healthcare provider’s plan and be mindful of any side-effects.
Pain Medications and Treatments
Icing
Especially for the 48 to 72 hours after surgery, if you feel soreness at the incision site, you should ice the area every one to two hours for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. This aims to reduce inflammation.
Is Ice or Heat Better for Treating an Injury?
Physical Therapy
Your healthcare provider may recommend you undergo both pre and post-operative physical therapy (PT) sessions to help restore strength and mobility, while managing pain. You may have to go in for multiple visits with a physical therapist, who’ll also teach you exercises you can do to promote your recovery.
Adherence to PT has been shown to maximize the positive effects of kyphoplasty.
Mental Health Counseling
While kyphoplasty is associated with improved quality-of-life, back pain problems, especially if they’re challenging, can significantly impact mental health.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression After Surgery or Illness
Incisions for kyphoplasty are very small as they only need to allow a specialized syringe (called a trocar) to pass through back muscle to get to the damaged vertebrae. Stitches aren’t usually required after this surgery; however, you do still need to be careful with the incision site. What should you keep in mind? Here are some quick guidelines:
How to Care For a Surgical Incision
A Word From Verywell
Care is needed during this time; however, given the high rate of success this operation has in managing back pain problems associated with vertical spine fracture, this effort is likely to pay off. While the path to complete recovery may be lengthy, there’s no doubt that the prospect of being free of back pain and discomfort is worth fighting for.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Radiological Society of North America, American College of Radiology.Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery.Kyphoplasty.Hospital for Specialty Surgery.Kyphoplasty: minimally invasive procedure for a spinal compression fracture.Ortho Rhode Island.Kyphoplasty discharge instructions.Healthwise Staff, Government of Alberta.Kyphoplasty: what to expect at home.Weill Cornell Medicine.Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.Physiopedia.Kyphoplasty.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Radiological Society of North America, American College of Radiology.Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery.Kyphoplasty.Hospital for Specialty Surgery.Kyphoplasty: minimally invasive procedure for a spinal compression fracture.Ortho Rhode Island.Kyphoplasty discharge instructions.Healthwise Staff, Government of Alberta.Kyphoplasty: what to expect at home.Weill Cornell Medicine.Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.Physiopedia.Kyphoplasty.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Radiological Society of North America, American College of Radiology.Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery.Kyphoplasty.Hospital for Specialty Surgery.Kyphoplasty: minimally invasive procedure for a spinal compression fracture.Ortho Rhode Island.Kyphoplasty discharge instructions.Healthwise Staff, Government of Alberta.Kyphoplasty: what to expect at home.Weill Cornell Medicine.Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.Physiopedia.Kyphoplasty.
Radiological Society of North America, American College of Radiology.Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
Columbia University Department of Neurological Surgery.Kyphoplasty.
Hospital for Specialty Surgery.Kyphoplasty: minimally invasive procedure for a spinal compression fracture.
Ortho Rhode Island.Kyphoplasty discharge instructions.
Healthwise Staff, Government of Alberta.Kyphoplasty: what to expect at home.
Weill Cornell Medicine.Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
Physiopedia.Kyphoplasty.
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