Mechanism
- Vertebroplasty
- Injection of bone cement
- Balloon kyphoplasty
- A balloon creates a cavity, then cement is injected
- SpineJack
- Expandable titanium implants and cement
Treatment comparison
Vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty
or SpineJack?
Understanding the differences helps you explore treatment options. The final choice depends on the fracture and the patient's condition.
A shared goal: stabilisation
All three treatments use bone cement. They differ in how they work within the vertebral body and their potential to correct its height.
| Feature | Vertebroplasty | Balloon kyphoplasty | SpineJack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Injection of bone cement | A balloon creates a cavity, then cement is injected | Expandable titanium implants and cement |
| What remains in the vertebra | Bone cement | Bone cement; the balloon is removed | Titanium implants and bone cement |
| Potential for height correction | Stabilisation is the main goal | Partial correction may be possible | Correction and support of the achieved position may be possible |
| Anaesthesia in the professor's practice | Local with sedation | Local with sedation | General |
| Osteoporosis treatment | Requires separate care | Requires separate care | Requires separate care |
What remains in the vertebra
- Vertebroplasty
- Bone cement
- Balloon kyphoplasty
- Bone cement; the balloon is removed
- SpineJack
- Titanium implants and bone cement
Potential for height correction
- Vertebroplasty
- Stabilisation is the main goal
- Balloon kyphoplasty
- Partial correction may be possible
- SpineJack
- Correction and support of the achieved position may be possible
Anaesthesia in the professor's practice
- Vertebroplasty
- Local with sedation
- Balloon kyphoplasty
- Local with sedation
- SpineJack
- General
Osteoporosis treatment
- Vertebroplasty
- Requires separate care
- Balloon kyphoplasty
- Requires separate care
- SpineJack
- Requires separate care
The potential for correction depends on the age and structure of the fracture. A specific degree of height restoration cannot be guaranteed.
The anaesthetist agrees the final anaesthesia plan. Comparison source · Questions about the procedures.
How each treatment works
01
Bone cement
Vertebroplasty
Cement is injected into the vertebral body to stabilise it. No balloon or permanent metal implants are used.
The main goal is to stabilise the fracture.
02
Balloon → cement
Balloon kyphoplasty
A balloon creates a cavity. The balloon is removed and cement is injected. Partial height correction may be possible in some cases.
The balloon does not remain in the vertebra.
03
Implants + cement
SpineJack
Expandable titanium implants may help correct the deformity. They remain in the vertebra, and cement is then injected.
What can be achieved depends on the individual fracture.
Choosing treatment
Why there is no single treatment for everyone
The doctor assesses the clinical situation alongside the examinations. The goal must be defined: fracture stabilisation alone, or potentially some correction of height as well.
- Cause, age and structure of the fracture
- Deformity, the posterior vertebral wall and the spinal canal
- Bone quality and the number of affected levels
- Overall condition and anaesthetic risk
What these treatments cannot do
The procedure does not treat osteoporosis or guarantee that further fractures will not occur. Osteoporosis is assessed and treated separately.
Possible complications include cement leakage, infection, bleeding and injury to nerve structures. Individual risks are discussed before surgery.
Questions about choosing treatment
Does the balloon remain after kyphoplasty?
No. The balloon is removed and the resulting cavity is filled with bone cement.
Is cement used with SpineJack?
Yes. After the implants are expanded, bone cement is injected around them. The titanium implants remain in the vertebra.
Can vertebral height always be restored?
No. Whether correction is possible, and to what extent, depends on the fracture. A specific degree of restoration cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Can treatment be selected from a single MRI photograph?
Assessment requires the full picture: imaging, symptoms and clinical condition. Compress the entire CT/MRI disc into one archive and send it or a link via Telegram or email. Include the patient's full name and symptoms. What to prepare.
Next step
Do you have CT or MRI scans?
Initial review is free. A reply on the day your scans are received.
Compress the entire contents of your CT or MRI disc into one archive.
Send the archive or a link via Telegram or to one of the email addresses. Include the patient's surname, given name and patronymic if applicable, and a brief description of symptoms.
Open TelegramAdministrator: +38 094 821 08 30How to prepare your scans
Or use one of these email addresses