Kyphoplasty is a type of vertebroplasty (to fix a fracture) in which the vertebral body is first prepared by using a balloon to inflate and reposition the vertebra. A cement is then put in place in order to fix the vertebral body, and help it resume a more normal shape.

Kyphoplasty is minimally invasive, requiring only a very small incision in the back. A narrow tube is inserted through the incision using fluoroscopy (live X-ray) to guide it into the correct position in the damaged vertebrae. Using the tube as a channel, the physician then guides a special balloon into the vertebral body. The balloon is then carefully inflated, restoring the vertebrae to a more normal shape. It also creates a cavity in the vertebral body by compacting the soft inner bone material. The balloon is then deflated and gently removed.

Special instruments are used to fill the cavity with a soft cement-like material, which quickly hardens to stabilize the vertebrae.

Kyphoplasty is also used for reinforcing a vertebral body after draining a cystic tumor.