Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive, image-guided treatments for painful vertebral compression fractures. Through a small needle, medical-grade bone cement is injected into the broken vertebra to stabilise it and relieve pain. In kyphoplasty, a balloon first creates a cavity and helps restore some lost height. At FHI in Istanbul, both are performed by our JCI-accredited spine team for international patients.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty both treat painful vertebral compression fractures by injecting medical-grade bone cement into the broken bone through a small needle, guided by live X-ray imaging. The cement hardens within minutes, stabilising the fracture and easing the pain it causes. The key difference is that kyphoplasty adds a preliminary step: a small balloon is gently inflated inside the vertebra to create a cavity and partially restore lost height before the cement is placed, while vertebroplasty injects the cement directly without the balloon. Your spine specialist recommends the approach best suited to your fracture.
From your first enquiry, a dedicated international patient coordinator guides every step. Our spine team reviews your X-rays, CT or MRI scans remotely before you travel, so suitability is assessed in advance and your visit is planned efficiently. You receive a transparent, itemised personalised estimate covering the procedure, hospital stay and imaging, with no hidden charges, so you can plan your treatment and trip with confidence.
Who is a candidate?
- You have a painful vertebral compression fracture confirmed on imaging (X-ray, CT or MRI)
- Your pain is significant and ongoing despite conservative measures such as rest, bracing and pain medication
- The fracture is caused by osteoporosis, a spinal tumour or trauma
- The fracture is relatively recent and remains a clear source of your pain
- You are well enough to undergo a short, minimally invasive procedure under sedation or general anaesthesia
- Your suitability is confirmed after our spine team reviews your imaging and medical history
What happens
- 1
Assessment & imaging
Your spine specialist reviews your symptoms and imaging to confirm the fracture and pinpoint the level causing pain. Where helpful, additional X-rays, CT or MRI are arranged. International patients can have existing scans reviewed remotely before travelling, so the plan is largely set before arrival.
- 2
The procedure
Under local anaesthetic with sedation or general anaesthesia, you lie face down. Using continuous X-ray guidance, the surgeon passes a fine needle into the fractured vertebra. In kyphoplasty, a balloon is first inflated to create a cavity and help restore height; in both procedures, medical-grade bone cement is then injected and sets within minutes. It usually takes under an hour per level.
- 3
After the procedure
You rest and are monitored for a short period while the cement fully hardens. Many patients are able to stand and walk within a few hours and notice their fracture pain easing quickly. Most go home the same day or after a short overnight stay, depending on your circumstances.
- 4
Recovery & follow-up
You are encouraged to resume gentle activity soon, avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exertion at first. Your team gives tailored guidance and, where relevant, arranges treatment to strengthen your bones. Follow-up and clear written aftercare instructions are provided, with remote review available once you return home.
Benefits
- Minimally invasive, performed through a small needle with no large incision
- Pain relief is often rapid, with many patients feeling markedly better within a day or two
- Stabilises the fracture and can reduce reliance on strong pain medication
- Usually a day-case or short-stay procedure, allowing an early return to gentle activity
- Kyphoplasty may partially restore lost vertebral height and correct some spinal deformity
Risks & considerations
- As with any procedure, small risks of bleeding, infection or reaction to anaesthesia
- Cement leakage outside the vertebra, which is usually harmless but can occasionally irritate nearby nerves
- A new fracture can occur at another vertebra, particularly when bones are weakened by osteoporosis
- Pain relief is not guaranteed for everyone, and a small number of patients see little improvement
- Rare risks include nerve injury or, very uncommonly, cement entering a blood vessel
- Underlying osteoporosis still needs ongoing treatment, as the procedure does not strengthen other bones
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Spine Center & Orthopedics.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty — frequently asked questions
Both inject medical-grade bone cement into a fractured vertebra to stabilise it and relieve pain. The difference is that kyphoplasty adds a first step in which a small balloon is inflated inside the bone to create a cavity and partially restore lost height before the cement is placed. Vertebroplasty injects the cement directly, without the balloon. Your spine specialist advises which is more appropriate for your fracture.
Many patients experience rapid relief, often noticing a marked improvement within 24 to 48 hours as the cement stabilises the fracture. The exact response varies from person to person, and your team will explain what you can realistically expect for your individual fracture.
Yes. Osteoporotic fractures are among the most common reasons for these procedures. However, the treatment stabilises the broken vertebra; it does not strengthen your other bones. Because osteoporosis raises the risk of further fractures, your team will usually recommend ongoing bone-strengthening treatment alongside it, and can advise you on this.
These are usually day-case or short-stay procedures, so many patients go home the same day or after one night. Cost depends on whether one or more levels are treated and your individual needs, so we provide a transparent, itemised personalised estimate in advance covering the procedure, hospital stay and imaging. We never quote a fixed price before reviewing your case.
Yes. We encourage international patients to share existing X-rays, CT or MRI images so our spine team can review them remotely and confirm whether the procedure is suitable before you make any travel plans. This lets us prepare your treatment plan and personalised estimate in advance, making your visit as efficient as possible.
Related treatments
Considering vertebroplasty & kyphoplasty?
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