Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty
What are Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty?
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures to treat vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) by injecting bone cement into the fractured vertebra to stabilize it and relieve pain. Kyphoplasty also involves inflating a balloon to restore vertebral height before cement injection, while vertebroplasty does not. In India, these procedures are performed in orthopedic spine surgery or interventional radiology departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, offering advanced care at affordable costs. Understanding the procedures, costs, recovery, risks, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) is essential for patients and families in India to make informed decisions
Why do you need Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty?
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are indicated for:
- Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs):
- Osteoporosis-related: Common in the elderly, especially postmenopausal women.
- Traumatic: From falls or accidents in younger patients.
- Pathologic: Due to tumors (e.g., multiple myeloma, metastatic cancer) weakening the vertebra.
- Severe pain: Persistent back pain (not relieved by conservative treatment like rest, painkillers, or bracing for 4–6 weeks).
- Kyphotic deformity: Kyphoplasty corrects height loss and spinal curvature (kyphosis) caused by the fracture.
- Neurological symptoms (rare): If bone fragments compress nerves, though this may require additional surgery.
The procedures aim to stabilize the fractured vertebra, relieve pain, and, in kyphoplasty, restore vertebral height and alignment to prevent further deformity.
Why Do Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh :
- Procedure Type: Vertebroplasty (₹1–2 lakh); kyphoplasty (₹1.5–3 lakh, due to balloon device).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS, ₹30,000–₹1 lakh).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced spine surgeons or interventional radiologists charge more.
- Additional Costs: Cement (₹20,000–₹50,000 per level), MRI/CT (₹5,000–₹15,000), hospital stay, bone density test.
- Insurance: Covered for symptomatic VCFs; Ayushman Bharat offers subsidies.
Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty Procedures
- Before Procedure Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- X-rays, MRI, or CT scan confirm the fracture, its age, and extent (MRI also checks for edema in acute fractures).
- Bone density test (DEXA): Assesses osteoporosis severity.
- Blood tests: Ensure fitness for the procedure (e.g., coagulation, infection markers).
- Pain assessment: Confirms fracture-related pain (e.g., localized tenderness).
- Medications: Pain relief (e.g., NSAIDs, opioids); bisphosphonates for osteoporosis.
- Consent: Risks, including cement leakage, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Vertebroplasty:
- Performed under local anesthesia with sedation (or general anesthesia), lasting 30–60 minutes per level.
- The patient lies prone (face down).
- A small incision (0.5 cm) is made over the fractured vertebra.
- Under fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray), a needle is inserted through the pedicle into the vertebral body.
- Bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA) is injected to fill and stabilize the fracture.
- The needle is removed, and the incision is closed with a bandage.
- Kyphoplasty:
- Similar to vertebroplasty but includes an additional step, lasting 45–90 minutes per level.
- After needle insertion, a balloon tamp is inserted and inflated to create a cavity and restore vertebral height (partially corrects kyphosis).
- The balloon is deflated and removed, and cement is injected into the cavity.
- General Details:
- Typically 1–3 levels are treated in one session.
- Fluoroscopy ensures precise needle placement and monitors cement spread to avoid leakage.
- Patients are monitored for 1–2 hours post-procedure for complications.
- Vertebroplasty:
- After Procedure:
- Observation: 2–4 hours; same-day discharge for most; 1-day stay if multiple levels or complications.
- Pain management: Analgesics (e.g., paracetamol) for 1–2 days; significant pain relief often within 24–48 hours.
- Activity: Bed rest for 1–2 hours post-procedure; light walking after 24 hours.
- Follow-up X-ray: At 1–2 weeks to confirm cement stability.
Recovery After Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty
- Immediate Recovery: Same-day discharge or 1-day stay; pain relief often within 24–48 hours.
- Post-Procedure Care:
- Pain: Minimal procedural pain; fracture-related pain reduces significantly (70–90% relief in most).
- Activity: Light walking after 24 hours; avoid bending, lifting (>5 kg), or twisting for 4–6 weeks.
- Back brace: May be advised for 2–4 weeks to support healing (esp. osteoporosis).
- Physical therapy: Starts at 2–4 weeks to improve posture, strength, and mobility.
- Osteoporosis management: Calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates to prevent future fractures.
- Diet: Normal diet; calcium-rich foods (e.g., dairy, leafy greens) and vitamin D (e.g., sunlight, fish) support bone health.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1–2 weeks and 6 weeks; X-ray to check cement and vertebral stability.
- Bone density monitoring yearly for osteoporosis patients.
Most resume normal activities in 2–4 weeks; full benefits (pain relief, mobility) within 6–8 weeks. Pain relief success rates: 80–90% for both procedures; kyphoplasty may improve height restoration (50–70% of lost height) and reduce kyphosis better than vertebroplasty.
Risks and Complications
- Procedure Risks:
- Cement leakage (5–15% in vertebroplasty, 5–10% in kyphoplasty): Into spinal canal, veins, or lungs (pulmonary embolism, rare, <1%).
- Infection (1–2%): At the injection site or in the vertebra.
- Bleeding (1–2%): Usually minor.
- Neurological Complications:
- Nerve or spinal cord injury (<1%): From cement leakage or needle placement, causing numbness, weakness, or paralysis (rare).
- General Risks: Allergic reaction to cement (rare), anesthesia reactions.
- Long-Term:
- Adjacent vertebral fracture (10–20% within 1–2 years): Due to altered biomechanics or underlying osteoporosis.
- Cement dislodgement (rare, <1%).
Report fever, severe pain, numbness, or breathing difficulty promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes vertebral compression fractures?
Osteoporosis (most common), trauma, or tumors (e.g., multiple myeloma, metastases).
What’s the difference between kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty?
Kyphoplasty uses a balloon to restore height before cement injection; vertebroplasty injects cement directly. Kyphoplasty better corrects kyphosis but is costlier.
Can VCFs heal without surgery?
Yes, many heal with rest, painkillers, and bracing in 6–12 weeks; surgery is for severe, persistent pain or deformity.
How soon can I resume activities?
Light activities in 1–2 days, normal routines in 2–4 weeks.
Are these procedures covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for symptomatic VCFs; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, numbness/weakness, or breathing difficulty.
Can fractures recur after the procedure?
Yes, 10–20% risk of adjacent fractures, especially with osteoporosis; ongoing bone health management is key.
Lifestyle changes post-procedure?
Avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks, manage osteoporosis (calcium, vitamin D, medications), maintain good posture, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are effective, minimally invasive treatments for vertebral compression fractures, offering rapid pain relief and improved mobility. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable, expert care. Understanding the procedures, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach treatment confidently. Consult a spine surgeon or interventional radiologist for personalized guidance and optimal outcomes.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Vertebroplasty
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Ahmedabad |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Ajmer |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Aligarh |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Allahabad |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Amritsar |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Aurangabad |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bangalore |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Bareilly |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Belgaum |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bhopal |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Bikaner |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Chandigarh |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Chennai |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Coimbatore |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Dehradun |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Delhi |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Dhanbad |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Durgapur |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Faridabad |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Ghaziabad |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Gorakhpur |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Guntur |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Gurgaon |
l2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Guwahati |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Gwalior |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Hyderabad |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Indore |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Jabalpur |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Jaipur |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Jalandhar |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Jamshedpur |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Jodhpur |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Kanpur |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Kochi |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Kolkata |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Kollam |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Lucknow |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Ludhiana |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Madurai |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Mangalore |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Meerut |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Moradabad |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Mumbai |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Mysore |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Nagpur |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Nashik |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Noida |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Patna |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Pune |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Raipur |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Rajkot |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Ranchi |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Surat |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Thane |
2,25,000 |
5,00,000 |
Vadodara |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Varanasi |
2,00,000 |
4,50,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
2,10,000 |
4,75,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.