Balloon kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures used to treat vertebral compression fractures, which are often caused by osteoporosis. Here's a breakdown of these procedures:.

Understanding Vertebral Compression Fractures:

• These fractures occur when the vertebrae in the spine collapse, leading to pain, decreased mobility, and sometimes a hunched posture (kyphosis).
• Osteoporosis, trauma, and tumors are common causes.

Vertebroplasty

• This procedure involves injecting bone cement directly into the fractured vertebra.
• The cement stabilizes the fracture, providing pain relief and preventing further collapse.
• It focuses primarily on pain management and fracture stabilization.

Balloon Kyphoplasty:

This procedure is similar to vertebroplasty, but it includes an additional step.

Before injecting the cement, a small balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebra and inflated.

This inflation creates a cavity and restores some of the vertebra's original height.

The balloon is then deflated and removed, and the cavity is filled with bone cement.

Kyphoplasty aims to restore vertebral height and reduce kyphosis, in addition to providing pain relief.