What is Interventional
Radiology?
Interventional Radiology (IR) applies medical imaging to assist doctors to diganose and treat issues related to blood and lymph vessels within the body.
Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are procedures used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures in the spinal column. Fractures can be a result of injury or osteoporosis, where the usual shape of a vertebral bone becomes distorted or compressed and causes substantial back pain.
How it Works
During a vertebroplasty procedure, an interventional radiologist will use imaging guidance to inject a cement mixture into the fractured bone, and in a kyphoplasty procedure, they insert a balloon into the fractured bone to create a space and then fill it with cement. This is completed through a small incision directly over the affected vertebra. Following vertebroplasty, about 75% of patients regain lost mobility and increase their activity. Patients are often walking within hours after the procedure has been completed.
RadiologyInfo.org (2021). Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/vertebro