Written by Top Doctors
Interventional radiology
Standing up straight with balloon kyphoplasty
The spine is a weight-bearing structure that maintains the body upright, holds up the skull, and supports the organs of the abdomen so they have enough space to function whilst still being flexible. When the spine compresses from a fractured vertebra, the spine can curve, distorting posture and causing a lot of pain. This can also cause breathing issues and hinder the abdominal organs — but a balloon kyphoplasty can stabilise the vertebra and prevent the spine from collapsing. We spoke with a leading consultant spinal surgeon about this simple procedure with a big impact.