Kyphoplasty

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Discharge
• Inpatient
• Precare
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Kyphoplasty is a procedure to fix broken vertebrae.

How do I prepare for the procedure?

• Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare. He or she may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of the procedure. Arrange to have someone drive you home when you are discharged.
• Tell your provider about all medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for the procedure, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of the procedure.
• You may need blood tests before your procedure. You may also need x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI of your spine.

What will happen during the procedure?

• You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain. Local anesthesia may instead be injected into your back. It is used to numb the area and dull the pain. You may still feel pressure or pushing during the procedure.
• Your healthcare provider will make a small incision over your broken vertebrae. A balloon will be inserted near the broken vertebrae and inflated to make a pocket. The balloon will be removed and bone cement will be injected into the pocket. The hardened cement will help keep your broken vertebrae together so it can heal.
• A bandage will be placed over the procedure site. Your healthcare provider may do an x-ray or CT scan to check for any leaks.

What should I expect after the procedure?

You will be taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. Healthcare providers will monitor you closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. When your healthcare provider sees that you are okay, you will be taken to your hospital room.

• You will lie flat until the cement fully hardens.
• Medicine may be given to prevent or relieve pain.

What are the risks of kyphoplasty?

You may have an allergic reaction to the bone cement. Your nerves and spinal cord may be damaged. Spinal cord damage may cause you to leak spinal fluid. This can cause paralysis. You may be bruised or get an infection after the procedure. Vertebrae that are near the procedure area may break. Cement may leak into your spinal cord, kidneys, and blood vessels. Cement leaks may travel into your lungs and brain. This can be life-threatening.

HOW TO PREPARE:

The week before your procedure:

• Arrange to have someone drive you home when you are discharged.
• Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for the procedure, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of the procedure.
• You may need blood tests before your procedure. You may also need x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI of your spine.

The night before your procedure:

You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight.

The day of your procedure:

• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
• Take only the medicines your healthcare provider told you to take.
• An IV will be placed into a vein. You may be given liquids or medicine through the IV.
• An anesthesiologist will talk to you before your surgery. You may need medicine to keep you asleep or numb an area of your body during surgery. Tell healthcare providers if you or anyone in your family has had a problem with anesthesia in the past.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:

What will happen:

• Your healthcare provider will make a small incision over your broken vertebrae. A balloon will be inserted near the broken vertebrae and inflated to make a pocket. The balloon will be removed and bone cement will be injected into the pocket. The hardened cement will help keep your broken vertebrae together so it can heal.
• A bandage will be placed over the procedure site. Your healthcare provider may do an x-ray or CT scan to check for any leaks.

After your procedure:

You will be taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. You will lie flat until the cement fully hardens. Healthcare providers will monitor you closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. When your healthcare provider sees that you are okay, you will be taken to your hospital room.

CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:

• You have a fever.
• You get a cold or the flu.
• You have questions or concerns about your procedure.

Seek Care Immediately if

• You are unable to move one or both of your legs.
• You have pain in your ribs or lower back.
• You have sudden trouble breathing or chest pain.

Risks

You may have an allergic reaction to the bone cement. Your nerves and spinal cord may be damaged. Spinal cord damage may cause you to leak spinal fluid. This can cause paralysis. You may be bruised or get an infection after the procedure. Vertebrae that are near the procedure area may break. Cement may leak into your spinal cord, kidneys, and blood vessels. Cement leaks may travel into your lungs and brain. This can be life-threatening.

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