Kyphoplasty: vertebral augmentation for compression fractures.

Osteoporosis has devastating consequences for individuals and society in terms of suffering, disability, and increased health care expenses. Early diagnosis and treatment of compression fractures with kyphoplasty allow restoration of normal anatomy as much as possible. Vertebral augmentations by kyphoplasty are efficacious treatments for osteoporotic compression fractures. Kyphoplasty minimizes the risk for cement leakage by compacting the cancellous bone to the periphery, sealing off the fracture clefts,and creating a cavity into which cement is poured. This technique may prevent propagation of further fractures by reducing the col-lapsed vertebral bodies toward its native height, normalizing the sagittal spinal alignment and the force transmission along the spine.