Case 2 – Balloon kyphoplasty

Age / Gender: Elderly (typically 80+), female, most common in older individuals with weakened bones (osteoporosis).
Main Complaints: Sudden onset of severe back pain after minimal trauma (e.g., bending over, coughing), difficulty standing or walking, pain intensified by movement.

• The pain began weeks ago after a small phenomenon or the spontaneous collapse of the vertebrae.
• Orthodox treatment (pain med, rest, bracing, physiotherapy) provided some relief.
• Imaging (X, Ray, MRI, or CT scan) confirmed a vertebral compression fracture, partially collapsed.

• Vertebra shows “wedging” (front collapse) typically 15–30° deformity.
• MRI detects edema, a sign of a recent fracture.
• Fracture height reduction: about 20–30% compared to normal.
• This collapse causes misalignment, leading to sharp back pain and reduced mobility.

Goal: relieve pain, stabilize spine, and restore vertebral shape using a minimally invasive technique.

Steps involved:

1. Under general anesthesia, the patient lies face-down.
2. Small 1 cm incisions are made over the fractured vertebra.
3. A needle is guided into the bone under X‑ray (fluoroscopy).
4. A deflated medical balloon is inserted into the collapsed vertebral body and gently inflated, this restores height and creates a cavity.
5. The balloon is removed, and the space is filled with bone cement, which quickly hardens, stabilizing the fracture.

• The cement typically hardens within an hour.
• Most patients can sit up and walk within the same day or the next.
• Pain relief often starts within 1–2 days, sometimes immediately .
• Hospital stay is brief (1 day in most cases).
• Follow-up occurs in 2–4 weeks to check healing and mobility.

Generally safe, with serious complications rare (1–3%). Possible issues include

• Cement leakage (5–10%), which may irritate nerves
• Infection or bleeding
• Rare nerve irritation or transient pain

To minimize risks: precise imaging guidance, correct cement viscosity, and careful monitoring are essential.

• Rapid pain relief – VAS pain scores drop significantly from around 8–9/10 to 2–3/10 .
• Vertebra height restored in 80-90% of cases, improving spinal alignment
• Improved function and quality of life – patients return to daily activities much sooner
• Benefits are sustained for 1-2 years with low complication rates

An elderly patient with a painful spine fracture that didn’t heal on its own received a balloon kyphoplasty. A small balloon lifted the collapsed vertebra, and cement solidified the shape, leading to quick relief, restored posture, and better mobility. It’s a safe, minimally invasive procedure with high success rates (> 90%) and low risks.

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