Kyphoplasty: What It Is, Who It Helps, and What to Expect

When a vertebra collapses due to osteoporosis or trauma, it can cause severe pain, loss of height, and a curved spine. kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive surgical procedure that restores height to collapsed spinal bones using a balloon and bone cement. Also known as vertebral augmentation, it’s designed to stabilize fractures and relieve pain quickly—often within hours. This isn’t major surgery. It’s done under local or light sedation, usually as an outpatient procedure, and most people go home the same day.

Kyphoplasty works best for vertebral compression fractures, cracks or collapses in the spinal bones that commonly happen in older adults with weak bones, especially from osteoporosis, a condition where bones become porous and fragile over time. It’s not for everyone. If the fracture is very old, or if the bone is too damaged, the balloon might not inflate properly. And if the fracture is caused by cancer or infection, other treatments may be needed first. But for fresh, painful fractures in otherwise healthy seniors, kyphoplasty can mean the difference between being stuck in bed and walking again.

The procedure uses a tiny balloon to lift the crushed bone back into place, then fills the space with medical-grade bone cement. This isn’t just pain relief—it’s structural repair. Unlike older methods that just injected cement without restoring height, kyphoplasty helps prevent the spine from curving further, which reduces long-term problems like breathing trouble or digestive issues from a hunched posture. People who’ve had it often say they feel like they’ve gotten their life back—not just less pain, but better balance, more mobility, and the ability to do simple things like tie their shoes or reach for a glass on a high shelf.

There are alternatives, like vertebroplasty (which skips the balloon and just injects cement), physical therapy, or pain meds. But if you’ve tried rest and medication for weeks with no improvement, kyphoplasty is often the next step. It’s not a cure for osteoporosis, but it’s one of the most effective ways to fix the damage it causes. And if you’re wondering whether it’s worth it, studies show over 80% of patients report major pain reduction within days.

Below, you’ll find real-world stories and practical guides on what to expect before, during, and after kyphoplasty. From how to prepare your home for recovery, to what medications to avoid afterward, to how to manage osteoporosis so this doesn’t happen again—you’ll find clear, no-fluff advice from people who’ve been there.