balancing your life while providing senior care

About The Procedure For Kyphoplasty For A Vertebra Fracture

Do you suffer from a lot of pain in your back after falling down? It is possible that your vertebrae were fractured when you fell, and undergoing kyphoplasty surgery may be the best way to get pain relief. Find out in this article about getting treated for a vertebra fracture and what the procedure for kyphoplasty is estimated to cost. 

What Happens When Kyphoplasty is Done for a Vertebra Fracture?

A specialist will determine if you have osteoporosis before kyphoplasty is performed, as some people never know that they have it until a bone fracture occurs. It is important for osteoporosis to be properly diagnosed so you can change your lifestyle in an effort to prevent other fractures from occurring. The specialist will have to measure your bone mineral density (BMD), which is commonly done with a test cost dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The DXA test is like a normal x-ray, only it is able to detect the loss of bone density.

The x-ray will show the specialist if you have a shortened vertebrae due to a compression fracture. If the bone is short, it is likely why you are experiencing so much back pain. Kyphoplasty surgery can be done to bring the damage vertebrae back to a normal size. Basically, the specialist will use general or local anesthesia to make you will feel comfortable during the procedure. You will have to lie face down on the operating table so the specialist can have easy access to your spine.

The specialist will then make two small incisions close to where the fractured vertebra is located. He or she will then insert a tube in each of the incision sites and push them inside of the fractured vertebra. Acrylic bone cement will then be sent through the tubes to stabilize the damaged vertebra. The tubes will then be removed so the incisions can be stitched up. You will then be sent home with antibiotics and pain medication. Recovery time can vary it shouldn't take long due to the small incisions and you will notice immediate reduction of back pain.

What Does it Cost to Undergo the Kyphoplasty Procedure?

The price for kyphoplasty will depend on if it is performed as an inpatient or outpatient procedure. You should expect to at least $5,000 or more for the procedure. Don't delay speaking to a specialist (such as one from Southwest Florida Neurosurgical Associates) about your back pain in case you have fractured vertebra and need kyphoplasty!


Share