Your Healthcare Team

If you have been diagnosed with a spinal fracture and have elected to undergo balloon kyphoplasty, you will likely be seen by a GP, who will, in turn, refer you to a spine specialist for the procedure. Although the process of being treated by several different doctors may seem daunting, in reality, it’s relatively simple.

Diagnosis of your spinal fracture is usually made by your GP. Your doctor will examine you and order imaging studies such as x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to confirm the diagnosis. Once a diagnosis of spinal fracture has been confirmed, you will be referred to a surgeon or interventionalist who has undergone advanced training to repair broken bones in the spine. 

After the broken bone is repaired, you will be referred back to your GP for treatment of the condition that caused your bone to break.

Generally, doctors performing balloon kyphoplasty first attend a special training course taught by doctors who have extensive experience with the procedure. Orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional neuroradiologists, and pain-management specialists who specialise in treating the spine may perform balloon kyphoplasty. 

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• Getting Kyphon Balloon Kyphoplasty
• Factors Your Doctor May Consider
• Your Healthcare Team
• Surgery: What to Expect

Additional information