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Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat vertebral compression fractures in the thoracic and lumbar spine. The procedure can be performed under conscious sedation or general anesthesia using special x-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) through tiny skin incision(s) with the insertion of specialized needles into the fractured bone. A slender device with an inflatable balloon at one end is then inserted through the needle and inflated to help restore the height of the fractured segment. It is then deflated and removed leaving a void within the bone. Specialized bone cement is then injected via the needle into the bone, which hardens within minutes to create immediate stability and reduces pain. The patient is typically discharged within a few hours after the surgery.