Whole body

What It Is

Kyphoplasty is a procedure used to treat vertebral compression (crush) fractures. A vertebral compression fracture happens when a bone in the spine (a vertebra) becomes squashed or collapses after losing strength (Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022). Most are caused by osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), but they can also be caused by a significant injury, or by other conditions that weaken the bone, such as cancer (Campagne, 2025; MedlinePlus, 2025). Symptoms are most often pain in the back. The pain is central and can spread out to both sides of the spine.

By far the biggest cause of these wedge fractures is osteoporosis. If the spine is osteoporotic, the bone is thinner, and even a very small injury, or none at all, might cause a collapse. Many of these fractures happen with little or no injury, and many cause no symptoms at all (Campagne, 2025). The fracture typically happens where the upper back meets the lower back, known as the thoraco-lumbar junction, around the T12 and L1 vertebrae (Campagne, 2025).

Most spinal fractures heal in about 6 to 12 weeks and do not need an operation (Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022). Kyphoplasty is not suitable for most people with spinal fractures. In the UK, NICE recommends it for osteoporotic fractures only for people who have severe, ongoing pain from a recent fracture that has not yet healed, even though their pain has been managed as well as possible, and when tests confirm the pain is coming from the fracture (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2013b). The procedure does not make the bones stronger or reduce your risk of breaking another bone (Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022).

What Happens During Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is sometimes known as balloon kyphoplasty. It can be done under a general anaesthetic (you are asleep) or a local anaesthetic (you are awake but the area is numb), sometimes with medicine to help you relax (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2013a; Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022). You lie on your stomach. A small cut is made in the back and a tube or needle is passed into the collapsed vertebra, using X-ray images to guide it accurately (MedlinePlus, 2025). A small balloon is passed into the vertebra and inflated to create a space. Bone cement is then injected to fill the space and stabilise the vertebra (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2013a; Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022). You need to stay lying on your stomach until the cement has set. The procedure takes a couple of hours. Many people go home the same day, but you may be asked to stay in hospital overnight (MedlinePlus, 2025; Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022).

Side effects are uncommon, but they can include cement leaking out of the bone, infection, cement travelling to the lungs, allergic reactions, injury to the spinal cord or nerves, and the balloon bursting (Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022). Your medical team will explain the risks to you.

Vertebral Crush / Compression Fracture Anatomy

Bones in the spine are known as vertebrae (plural). They are stacked one on top of each other and are joined by facet joints and by discs that sit in between each vertebra. Spinal nerves are at each level and leave the spinal canal through holes between the vertebrae known as foramina.

When the vertebra crushes or collapses, it tends to collapse at the front. This is why compression fractures are sometimes known as "anterior wedge fractures". As the bone at the front of the vertebra collapses, it forms a wedge shape (Campagne, 2025). The amount of wedging depends on how severe the fracture is. If there is underlying weakness in the bone, for example in osteoporosis, the wedging is likely to be more pronounced.

In a younger person without osteoporosis, the injury would need to be significant to have enough force to fracture the vertebra (Campagne, 2025), such as a fall from a height, or a high-impact injury such as from skiing or horse-riding.

How a Compression Fracture to the Spine is Diagnosed

In many cases, the pain from a compression fracture can feel like other problems in the spine. A compression fracture can usually be seen on an X-ray, which shows the wedge shape of the vertebra. After a more significant injury, or if there are signs that nerves are affected, a CT or MRI scan may also be done (Campagne, 2025).

Problems Following a Crush Fracture to the Spine

In the early days, there will be pain around the injury site. Spinal bones do not go back to their original shape – they heal in their new, compressed shape. This can lead to loss of height and a change in the shape of the spine, which puts strain on the joints, ligaments and muscles of the back (Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022). Because of this, some people have ongoing pain, sometimes lower down the spine, even after the fracture has healed, and they may have to manage a certain level of pain or discomfort (Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

Recovering After Kyphoplasty

Your medical team will give you instructions for after the procedure. Always follow their advice, as it is tailored to you.

1. Pain Relief

Your medical team will advise you on pain relief after the procedure.

2. Modification of Activities

Activities that cause pain in the back should be avoided. Modifying your activities according to your individual pain level and tolerance can help to avoid further injury. Your team will tell you which activities to avoid and for how long, such as heavy lifting and strenuous activity (MedlinePlus, 2025). Do not lift anything heavy, or anything that puts too much strain on the fractured area, until your team says it is safe.

3. Bracing

A back brace is not usually needed after kyphoplasty. Only use one if your medical team advises it.

4. Physio and Rehab

Once your medical team is happy for you to start, I can support your recovery with gentle hands-on work and an exercise programme that fits their advice. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Rehabilitation is very important after a spinal fracture. Staying as active as you can helps to keep your muscles strong and reduces the chance of ongoing pain, and gentle exercises can improve muscle tone, ease tension, reduce muscle spasms in your back and help with pain (Royal Osteoporosis Society, 2022). Never miss out on the rehab – it is a very important part of your recovery.

Treatment

My Approach

After kyphoplasty, the treated bone is held by cement, but the bones around it can still be fragile, and the back muscles often stay tight and guarded. Your medical team decides what you can do and when, including lifting and strenuous activity. I work inside those limits and need their okay before we start any hands-on treatment.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your medical team to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

I start by assessing your posture, how you move and walk, your strength and your balance.

Early On

Comfortable positions with plenty of pillows, often on your side, and gentle pressure suited to fragile bones
Gentle massage and warm applications for the back, neck and shoulders to ease spasm and tension
Slow breathing and gentle walking, little and often, as your team advises

Building Up

Gentle work around the small cut once it has fully healed
Back-strengthening, such as squeezing your shoulder blades together, then sit-to-stands, heel raises, step-ups and light bands or weights
Balance work to help prevent falls, and safe ways to bend and lift once your team allows

I never put force through the bones: no springing the ribs, forceful joint work or strong pressure along the spine. Sit-ups, bending forward against resistance and twisting while bending are best avoided. If you get sudden, severe back pain, or new numbness or weakness in your legs, see a doctor promptly.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Early on, visits are usually short and about weekly, then once or twice a week as you build up, then less often as you manage more on your own. Spinal fractures usually heal in about 6 to 12 weeks, and your return to lifting and strenuous activity follows your medical team's plan; some people have ongoing back discomfort to manage after that.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Safe Positioning

Pain & Spasm Relief

Back Strength

Balance & Falls

Sources

References

Royal Osteoporosis Society (2022) Spinal fractures (vertebral fractures). Available at: https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/living-with-osteoporosis-and-broken-bones/spinal-fractures-vertebral-fractures/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Campagne, D. (2025) Vertebral compression fractures. MSD Manual Professional Version. Available at: https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/fractures/vertebral-compression-fractures (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
MedlinePlus (2025) Vertebroplasty. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007512.htm (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2013b) Percutaneous vertebroplasty and percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty for treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (Technology appraisal guidance TA279): 1 Recommendations. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta279/chapter/1-Guidance (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2013a) Percutaneous vertebroplasty and percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty for treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (Technology appraisal guidance TA279): 3 The technologies. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta279/chapter/3-The-technologies (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooKyphoplasty

What It Is

What Happens During Kyphoplasty

Vertebral Crush / Compression Fracture Anatomy

How a Compression Fracture to the Spine is Diagnosed

Problems Following a Crush Fracture to the Spine

Self-Care & Treatment

Recovering After Kyphoplasty

1. Pain Relief

2. Modification of Activities

3. Bracing

4. Physio and Rehab

My Approach

Early On

Building Up

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooKyphoplasty

What It Is

What Happens During Kyphoplasty

Vertebral Crush / Compression Fracture Anatomy

How a Compression Fracture to the Spine is Diagnosed

Problems Following a Crush Fracture to the Spine

Self-Care & Treatment

Recovering After Kyphoplasty

1. Pain Relief

2. Modification of Activities

3. Bracing

4. Physio and Rehab

My Approach

Early On

Building Up

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Spinal Fusion

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Anterior Wedge Fracture to the Vertebra

Bone Tumor

Book a session