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Treatments · Kyphoplasty, MILD, Botox & VIA Disc

Kyphoplasty in Abilene, Texas

A vertebral compression fracture is a collapsed bone in the spine, usually from osteoporosis, minor trauma, or cancer. Kyphoplasty stabilizes the fracture from the inside, restores lost height, and for most patients relieves the fracture pain within a day or two.

Imaging

Live X-ray (fluoroscopy)

Comfort

Sedation

Time

45–60 minutes per level

Home

Same day

How it works

What it is, and why it works.

What it is · A minimally invasive procedure for painful vertebral compression fractures, often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or metastatic disease.

Why it's effective · A balloon restores height in the fractured vertebra and medical-grade cement stabilizes it, relieving pain and helping restore posture and mobility. It treats a mechanical cause of pain rather than only its signal.

Through a small incision, a balloon is guided into the collapsed vertebra under live X-ray and inflated to create a cavity and restore bone height. The balloon is withdrawn and medical-grade bone cement fills the cavity, casting the bone from the inside. Continuous imaging keeps the instruments placed with sub-millimeter precision and the cement contained exactly where it is needed.

The stabilization stops the painful motion of the fracture and prevents further collapse of that segment. Most patients notice a significant decrease in fracture pain within 24 to 48 hours.

What it treats

Osteoporotic compression fractures

Sudden, severe back pain after a fall or even a minor strain, sometimes with a hunched posture and reduced mobility. Timing matters: treated early, this can shorten weeks of misery to days.

Fractures from metastatic disease

Cancer-related fractures of the spine, in coordination with your oncology team, to reduce pain and the medication burden.

Who it helps

The conditions we most often treat this way.

Every plan starts with a diagnosis, not a procedure. Your first visit is an evaluation of your history, exam, and imaging, and we tell you what we believe is generating your pain before any treatment is scheduled. What the first visit is like →

Lumbar Spine & Low Back Pain

Vertebral compression fractures of the low back and mid-back

Cancer-Related Pain

Cancer-related bone pain and metastatic spine fractures

What to expect

Before, on the day, and afterward.

Before

  • Hold NSAIDs and aspirin for 24 hours; blood thinners have longer holds that our office will set with you.
  • Nothing to eat or drink for six hours beforehand, since sedation is used. Essential morning medications may be taken with a sip of water.
  • Bring a responsible adult to drive you home.

Procedure day

  • Performed under live X-ray with sedation, in our procedure suite or at a surgery center depending on your case. About 45 to 60 minutes per treated level.
  • The incision is closed with a simple adhesive bandage. This is an outpatient procedure and most patients go home the same day.

Afterward

  • Expect the fracture pain to ease within 24 to 48 hours, with mild soreness or a bruised feeling at the site for three to five days. Ice packs help, and you may resume NSAIDs and aspirin immediately.
  • Light indoor activity within 24 hours, and walking is encouraged. Keep lifting under 15 pounds and avoid strenuous activity or twisting for one week. Keep the bandage clean and dry for two days; shower after 24 hours, no baths or pools for seven. We see you at two weeks for a wound check and at three months to measure function.

Call us right away if you notice

  • New or worsening leg weakness, numbness, or foot drop
  • Sudden loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Fever above 101.5°F, chills, or drainage at the site
  • A severe headache that worsens when sitting or standing

Call or text 325-326-3433. In an emergency, call 911.

Where it happens

Most of our image-guided procedures are performed in our own procedure suite at 1925 Hospital Place. When a case calls for a hospital or surgery center, we arrange it and remain your physicians throughout. Your appointment paperwork tells you which facility and when to arrive.

Full preparation and discharge details are in the handout below and in the general procedure guide (PDF).

The evidence

What the published data say.

All the evidence →

Kyphoplasty & vertebral augmentation

Level I

Acute painful vertebral compression fracture

In a placebo-controlled randomized trial of acute severe osteoporotic fractures, vertebral augmentation produced significantly greater pain reduction than placebo; large registry and comparative data show reduced disability and, in some analyses, lower mortality versus non-surgical care.

Clark W, et al. Safety and efficacy of vertebroplasty for acute painful osteoporotic fractures (VAPOUR): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2016.

For you · For a fresh, severely painful spinal fracture, timing matters — treated early, this can shorten weeks of misery to days.

Common questions

Answers before you call.

Early. For a fresh, severely painful fracture, treating it promptly can turn weeks of pain into days, and stabilizing the bone prevents the collapse from worsening. If you have new, severe back pain after a fall or a minor strain, ask your provider to send a referral with your imaging.

Your handout

The same guide we hand you in the office.

How to prepare, what happens on the day, and the discharge instructions for afterward. Download it, or send it to yourself to read at home.

Send it to yourself

Every handout is listed on the Your Procedure page.

KyphoplastyRead the guide →PDF ↓

Ready to talk about your pain?

New patients are generally seen by referral. Ask your provider to fax records and imaging to 325-378-9175, or text us with a question first.

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