Kyphoplasty & Vertebroplasty in San Marcos, TX

To ascertain whether kyphoplasty is the right treatment for your condition, we invite you to reach out and schedule a consultation with us. Our expert team in San Marcos, TX, is here to guide you through the assessment process and help determine the best course of action tailored to your needs.

After undergoing a kyphoplasty procedure, it's not uncommon to experience some discomfort, such as pain or tenderness, at the site where the injection was made. This discomfort can last for up to 48 hours following the procedure. Applying an ice pack to the affected area can be an effective way to alleviate this pain and soreness.

While kyphoplasty is generally viewed as a procedure with minimal risks, it's important to acknowledge that, like most medical procedures, it does come with certain potential complications. These may include infection at the injection site, allergic reactions, bleeding, nerve damage, heightened back pain, or leakage of the bone cement used during the procedure. Your pain management specialist will provide a thorough discussion of these risks to ensure you are fully informed before proceeding with treatment.

The key distinction between a vertebroplasty and a kyphoplasty lies in the initial steps of the procedure. In vertebroplasty, a physician specializing in pain management directly injects a bone cement mixture into the vertebral body to secure the fracture. Kyphoplasty, on the other hand, begins with the insertion and inflation of a balloon through a needle into the vertebral body. This inflation creates a space that is subsequently filled with the bone cement mixture. While both procedures aim to stabilize spinal fractures, they are often performed in conjunction to enhance the treatment's effectiveness.

A kyphoplasty, potentially combined with vertebroplasty, typically concludes within an hour, allowing it to be administered on an outpatient basis. Should the treatment extend to several vertebrae, the procedure's duration may slightly increase.

Recovery from a kyphoplasty is notably swift, with most individuals being discharged to return home shortly after the procedure. It is advisable, however, to arrange for transportation as a precaution. While some mild discomfort or swelling at the procedure site is common, patients generally find themselves able to resume their usual activities by the following day.