Vertebral Compression Fractures: Bracing vs Outpatient Kyphoplasty

written by: Dr. Thuy M. Nguyen

What is a compression fracture?

A compression fracture is a fracture involving the front third of your vertebral body. This will commonly have an appearance of wedging on X-ray. Compression fractures can be very painful with associated point tenderness.

Bracing Compression Fractures

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive spine procedure for treating compression fractures. As compression fractures are usually stable, I typically like to treat these with bracing and analgesics. We will do a trial of conservative management as surgery should be a last resort. Bracing is employed to decrease motion at the fracture which is responsible for inducing pain. A back brace also serves to reduce repetitive “microfractures”. If the back brace and conservative management is not reducing the amount of pain to satisfaction, then a discussion regarding a kyphoplasty should be undertaken.

What is Kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that I do in the office with a local numbing medication. No general anesthesia is used to ensure quicker recovery and a same day procedure as well as avoids all the risk factors and side effects that accompany general anesthesia. My patients will come into the office for the procedure and leave after the procedure.  The kyphoplasty is done under xray or fluoroscopy in order to guide the needle into the correct location. A cavity is created within the vertebral body and a synthetic medical grade “cement” is introduced. This “cement” is polymethlymethacrylate or PMMA.  The PMMA will mend the fractured pieces together and therefore stop motion at these fracture segments which is responsible for the pain.

About Dr. Thuy M. Nguyen

Dr. Nguyen received his training in neurosurgery in a highly sought after residency program at Beaumont Health in Detroit. He then pursued a fellowship in orthopaedic spine surgery at the Oregon Health and Science University. He brings a unique set of spine-focused clincal acumen to Joseph Spine Institute.

About Joseph Spine Institute

Joseph Spine Institute is the advanced center for spine, scoliosis and minimally invasive spine surgery. Founded by Dr. Samuel A. Joseph, Jr., a fellowship trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Joseph has assembled a comprehensive team of highly skilled spine specialists that are devoted to offering the highest level of spine care available today. He has also strategically partnered with some of the most innovative leaders in the spine care industry today in order to bring our patients the latest in technology, products and resources.

From state-of-the-art technology, to alternate therapies and interventional pain management treatments our industry leading spine care practice offers our patients a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of spinal conditions. Our highly-trained surgeons offer an integrated approach to patients that includes surgical and non-surgical options such as pain management and physical therapy.