With a hollow instrument, a narrow pathway is made into the fractured bone. A small orthopedic balloon is guided through the instrument into the vertebra. The incision site is approximately 1 centimeter in length.

Next, the balloon is carefully inflated in an attempt to raise the collapsed vertebra and return it to its normal position. Once the vertebra is in the correct position, the balloon is deflated and removed. This process creates a void (space) within the vertebral body. The void functions as a “container” for the bone cement.

The void is then filled with bone cement to stabilize the fracture.

The cement forms an internal cast that holds the vertebra in place. Generally, the procedure is done on both sides of the vertebra.