A needle is directed under x-ray guidance similar to Vertebroplasty. Specially designed balloons are placed into the fractured vertebrae and slowly inflated to attempt to restore lost bone height. The cavity is then filled with bone cement.
Step 1: Balloon Placement
With a hollow instrument, a narrow pathway is made into the fractured bone. A small orthopaedic balloon is guided through the instrument into the vertebra. The incision site is approximately 1 cm in length.
|
|
Step 2: Full inflation
Next, the balloon is carefully inflated in an attempt to raise the collapsed vertebra and return it to its normal position.
|
|
Step 3: Void created within the vertebral body
Once the vertebra is in the correct position, the balloon is deflated and removed. This process creates a void (space) within the vertebral body. The void functions as a container for the bone cement.
|
|
Step 4: Filling the cavity with cement
The void is filled with bone cement to stabilize the fracture.
|
|
Step 5: Internal cast
The cement forms an internal cast that holds the vertebra in place. Generally, the procedure is done on both sides of the vertebra.
|
|
