Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty means to rebuild a fracture. Kyphoplasty is a type of vertebroplasty.
What is Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty?

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures preformed to correct vertebral compression fractures.
Vertebra usually fracture in a rectangular shape, the bone becomes compressed and distorted, causing pain. This condition can be a result of osteoporosis or in some instances cancer, among others.
In vertebroplasty, physicians use image guided systems and instrumentation to inject a special cement mixture through a hollow needle into the fractured bone. In kyphohplasty, a balloon is used to create a space in the vertebra, in which your physician can place the cement mixture. In both procedures the before said cement mixture is used to fill the compressed space in the vertebra in turn elevating the patient's pain.
Vertebral Compression Fracture
Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are common, especially in older adults. They affect approximately 25% of all postmenopausal women in the United States and their occurrence steadily increases with advancing age, reaching 40% in women 80 years and older. Although less common in older men, compression fractures are also a major health concern in this group. Because those 65 and older are the fastest growing population segment in the U.S., the occurrence of this age-specific fracture is likely to escalate.