Osteoporosis leads to weakening of bones in the spine called vertebrae. Osteoporotic compression fracture means that the bones in the spine are broken which is a common cause of back pain in the elderly. Chronic use of prednisone for inflammatory conditions can also result in weakening of the spine and compression fractures. Kyphoplasty involves the insertion of a balloon into a broken vertebra. The balloon is inflated which restores the height of the broken vertebrae and creates a cavity for the injection of cement. Vertebroplasty is the injection of cement (methylmethacrylate epoxy) into a broken vertebra without using a balloon. Both procedures strengthens the bone and relieves the pain caused by the fracture. This is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the insertion of needles into the broken bone under x-ray guidance. Cement is injected through the needle into the vertebra. The cement hardens in the vertebrae over several minutes and people are allowed to go home within a couple of hours of having the procedure completed.
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