Key Takeaway
Conservative treatment is appropriate for many stable compression fractures. Kyphoplasty is typically recommended when pain is severe, when fractures are not healing with conservative care, or when the patient is unable to function — and it can provide faster, more complete pain relief in these cases.
Conservative Treatment: What Does It Involve?
- Pain medication: NSAIDs, acetaminophen, or short-term opioid medications to manage acute pain.
- Spinal bracing: A thoracolumbar orthosis (back brace) reduces pain by limiting spinal movement and providing support while the fracture heals. Typically worn for 6 to 12 weeks.
- Activity modification: Avoiding activities that increase pain or spinal loading while the fracture heals.
- Physical therapy: Gradual mobilization and core strengthening to restore function after the acute phase.
- Osteoporosis treatment: Medications to treat underlying bone loss and reduce the risk of future fractures.
Kyphoplasty: What Does It Involve?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed under light sedation. A small balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebra and inflated to restore its height. The space is then filled with medical-grade bone cement to stabilize the fracture.
- Performed as an outpatient procedure (go home the same day)
- Takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes per vertebral level treated
- Most patients experience significant pain relief within 24 to 48 hours
- Minimal activity restrictions after the procedure
How Specialists Decide Which Approach Is Right
- Fracture acuity: Acute fractures (within the first 6 to 8 weeks) respond better to kyphoplasty than older, healed fractures.
- Pain severity: Patients with severe, debilitating pain who cannot function are often better candidates for kyphoplasty.
- Number of fractures: Multiple adjacent fractures may increase risk of progressive deformity and tilt the decision toward earlier intervention.
- Patient health & surgical risk: Patients who are poor surgical candidates may be better managed conservatively.
Talk to a Spine Specialist About Your Options
Our spine surgeons have extensive experience with both conservative management and kyphoplasty, and will recommend the approach most appropriate for your specific fracture.