Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsComparisonCostProcedure StepsRecoveryDeciding Between Procedures
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Comparison
Cost
Procedure Steps
Recovery
Deciding Between Procedures
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are surgical procedures used to treat compression fractures in the spine. Both versions use a cement-like substance to stabilize the fractured vertebrae, the bones that make up the spine. During a kyphoplasty, however, a balloon is also inflated within the bone to help restore its natural height and shape.
Both versions are usually very successful in alleviating fracture-related pain.
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Kyphoplasty vs. Vertebroplasty for Spinal Fracture Repair
Over 1 million people in the United States experience aspinal compression fractureeach year. This painful condition typically occurs after osteoporosis (a condition of decreased bone mineral density and bone mass) weakens the vertebral bones in the spine and causes them to fracture or collapse.
For people whose spinal fracture pain cannot be managed conservatively, a kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty is often recommended. The following sections compare and contrast these vertebral augmentation procedures.
Similarities
Differences
The primary difference between a vertebroplasty and a kyphoplasty is the balloon utilized during a kyphoplasty. While medical cement is used to stabilize fractured vertebrae in both procedures, the surgeon takes the added step of inflating a balloon insidethe vertebraeduring a kyphoplasty.
This helps restore height and form to the injured portion of the spine. In some cases, a titanium implant is used in place of a balloon when the surgeon tries to restore proper height to the vertebrae.
Risk Comparison
Both procedures are considered extremely safe, and side effects are relatively rare. While there is always a risk of complications when performing an injection near the spinal cord,the use of fluoroscopyadds precision and reduces the likelihood of an error.
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Occasionally, the cement used during a kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty can leak into the surrounding areas. One study found this occurred in 25% of cases, though the incidence of symptoms from this complication is rare. In addition, there is some evidence suggesting that you are at a slightly higher risk of future vertebral body collapse if you choose a vertebroplasty over a kyphoplasty.
Treatment Outcomes
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are both very effective procedures. One study found that the average person’s pain level dropped from 6.8 to 2.1 on a 10-point scale six weeks after a vertebroplasty.
For people undergoing a kyphoplasty, this number went from 7.1 to 2.0 at the six-week mark. A year after the procedures, both groups reported an average pain under 1 out of 10. In addition, 90% of people in the study were able to walk independently and without pain three months after the procedures.
Cost-Wise, How Do Kyphoplasty vs. Vertebroplasty Compare?
The costs of these two vertebral augmentation surgeries vary widely, depending on your location and individual insurance coverage. In general, however, kyphoplasty procedures are usually more expensive than vertebroplasty.
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For example, the out-of-pocket cost of a kyphoplasty for a patient with Medicare is estimated to be between $770 and $1,455.The estimated Medicare out-of-pocket cost for a vertebroplasty, which is between $382 and $695.
To truly understand the cost differences, it is best to obtain an individualized quote from the hospital or surgical center where the procedure will take place.
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty procedures are fairly similar and follow these steps:
Kyphoplasty vs. Vertebroplasty Recovery
Around 80% to 90 % of patients who undergo a kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty experience pain relief almost immediately after the procedure.Occasionally, there will be some soreness over the incision that persists for a few days afterward.
Deciding Between Kyphoplasty vs. Vertebroplasty
Due to its ability to restore vertebral height after a compression fracture, the kyphoplasty procedure is the more commonly performed variety. Occasionally, a vertebroplasty is more advantageous in situations in which a chronic spinal fracture does not permit a balloon to be inflated inside it.
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Typically, the interventional radiologist or neuroradiologist who performs the procedure will complete an extensive examination before giving their recommendation.
This usually involves assessing your symptoms and ordering images of your spine to evaluate the fracture. While the decision on which type of procedure you undergo is ultimately your own, your surgeon or referring healthcare provider will be able to provide you with the pros and cons of each option.
Summary
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are surgeries that are used to treat compression fractures in the spine. Both procedures stabilize the fractured area using bone cement that is inserted with a needle into your vertebrae.
In a kyphoplasty, a balloon is also inflated inside the vertebrae to help restore its prior height and shape. Both surgeries effectively alleviate pain in the large majority of individuals and have a relatively low incidence of side effects.
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.Northwestern Medicine.Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.Hospital for Specialty Surgery.Kyphoplasty: minimally invasive procedure for a spinal compression fracture.Wang Q,Liu J, Ji Q, et al.Percutaneous vertebroplasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty in elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: prospective controlled study.BJS Open. 2024;8(1):zrad162. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrad162Cerny J, Soukup J, Petrosian K, Loukotova L, Novotny T.Efficacy and complication rates of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures: a retrospective analysis of 280 patients.JCM. 2024;13(5):1495. doi:10.3390/jcm13051495Medicare.Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using a mechanical device (e.g.,kyphoplasty), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbar.Medicare.Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbosacral.Weill Cornell Medicine.Vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty for compression fractures.
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.Northwestern Medicine.Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.Hospital for Specialty Surgery.Kyphoplasty: minimally invasive procedure for a spinal compression fracture.Wang Q,Liu J, Ji Q, et al.Percutaneous vertebroplasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty in elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: prospective controlled study.BJS Open. 2024;8(1):zrad162. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrad162Cerny J, Soukup J, Petrosian K, Loukotova L, Novotny T.Efficacy and complication rates of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures: a retrospective analysis of 280 patients.JCM. 2024;13(5):1495. doi:10.3390/jcm13051495Medicare.Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using a mechanical device (e.g.,kyphoplasty), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbar.Medicare.Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbosacral.Weill Cornell Medicine.Vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty for compression fractures.
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.
Northwestern Medicine.Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.Hospital for Specialty Surgery.Kyphoplasty: minimally invasive procedure for a spinal compression fracture.Wang Q,Liu J, Ji Q, et al.Percutaneous vertebroplasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty in elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: prospective controlled study.BJS Open. 2024;8(1):zrad162. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrad162Cerny J, Soukup J, Petrosian K, Loukotova L, Novotny T.Efficacy and complication rates of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures: a retrospective analysis of 280 patients.JCM. 2024;13(5):1495. doi:10.3390/jcm13051495Medicare.Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using a mechanical device (e.g.,kyphoplasty), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbar.Medicare.Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbosacral.Weill Cornell Medicine.Vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty for compression fractures.
Northwestern Medicine.Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.
Hospital for Specialty Surgery.Kyphoplasty: minimally invasive procedure for a spinal compression fracture.
Wang Q,Liu J, Ji Q, et al.Percutaneous vertebroplasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty in elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: prospective controlled study.BJS Open. 2024;8(1):zrad162. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrad162
Cerny J, Soukup J, Petrosian K, Loukotova L, Novotny T.Efficacy and complication rates of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures: a retrospective analysis of 280 patients.JCM. 2024;13(5):1495. doi:10.3390/jcm13051495
Medicare.Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using a mechanical device (e.g.,kyphoplasty), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbar.
Medicare.Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbosacral.
Weill Cornell Medicine.Vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty for compression fractures.
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