Vertebral Repair
Kyphoplasty Surgery Specialists
Kyphoplasty Surgeon in Phoenix — Fast, Minimally Invasive Repair of a Compression Fracture Restoring Height and Stability to Vertebrae.
When a spinal vertebra collapses due to osteoporosis, trauma, or tumor, it can cause sudden, severe back pain, deformity, and reduced mobility. A painful compression fracture can be repaired through a needle (no open surgery) with relief often felt within a day. At Desert Spine and Pain, kyphoplasty is performed with precision by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon, offering patients rapid pain relief and restored confidence in movement. Call now. We specialize in out-of-network care.
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Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
If a vertebral compression fracture has you in sudden, severe back pain, kyphoplasty can stabilize the broken bone and relieve the pain — often within a day, through a small needle rather than open surgery. At Desert Spine and Pain in Phoenix, it's performed by a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon who specializes in out-of-network spine care.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500What Is Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that repairs a painful vertebral compression fracture — a collapse of the front of a vertebra that most often happens when bone is weakened by osteoporosis. Through a small needle, a balloon is inflated inside the fractured vertebra to restore some of the lost height, and the cavity is filled with bone cement that hardens to stabilize the bone. By stopping the painful micro-motion of the fracture, kyphoplasty relieves pain quickly — often within a day — without open surgery.
How Kyphoplasty Works
Conditions We Treat with Kyphoplasty
Vertebral Compression Fractures
A collapse of the front of a vertebra, often from osteoporosis.
Learn MoreSigns You May Need Kyphoplasty
A compression fracture often announces itself with sudden, sharp back pain — sometimes after a minor fall, a cough, or simply lifting something. Consider an evaluation if you have:
- Sudden, severe back pain, especially after minor strain or in the setting of osteoporosis
- Pain that is worse when standing or walking and eases when lying down
- Loss of height over time, or a stooped (rounded) posture
- Pain that began with little or no injury
Contact us promptly for sudden, severe, or persistent back pain, especially if you're over 50 or have osteoporosis. Go to an emergency room or call us immediately if back pain comes with leg weakness or numbness, numbness around the groin, or loss of bladder or bowel control — these can signal more than a simple compression fracture.
Am I a Candidate for Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is considered for a painful vertebral compression fracture — confirmed on imaging — when pain is significant or isn't improving with bracing and time. It's most effective for relatively recent fractures. During your evaluation, Dr. Greenwald confirms the fracture is the true source of your pain and that it's suitable for cement stabilization — and, because weakened bone signals a risk of further fractures, assesses your bone health at the same time.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Benefits of Kyphoplasty
Fast relief — often within 24–48 hours. Restores some vertebral height and can reduce spinal deformity. Minimally invasive and needle-based — no open surgery. Outpatient, with same-day discharge for most. Stabilizes the fracture to stop the painful motion, with a low complication profile when performed by an experienced surgeon.
Expected Outcomes
Kyphoplasty provides rapid, significant pain relief for most patients with a painful compression fracture, and can reduce spinal deformity by restoring some height. Results are best for relatively recent fractures. We pair the procedure with bone-health care to lower the risk of further fractures — and we set clear, honest expectations rather than promises.
Before & After: Restoring the Vertebra
Life After a Compression Fracture
How Kyphoplasty Is Performed
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive, needle-based procedure — not open surgery — performed by Dr. Greenwald at an affiliated accredited facility under live X-ray guidance. Here's an abridged look at each stage.
Before the Procedure
Imaging pinpoints the fractured level and confirms it's the source of your pain. You're positioned comfortably face down, and the skin over the fracture is numbed with local anesthesia; light sedation keeps you relaxed. You stay awake but comfortable.
During the Procedure
Through a small incision, a narrow cannula is guided precisely into the fractured vertebra under continuous X-ray imaging. A small balloon is inflated inside the bone to gently restore height and create a cavity, then removed. Bone cement is injected to fill the cavity and stabilize the fracture, and it hardens within minutes. The whole procedure typically takes 30–60 minutes.
After the Procedure
You rest in recovery for a short time and usually go home the same day. Many patients notice significant pain relief within 24–48 hours as the fracture is stabilized. You'll get clear activity guidance and begin a bone-health plan to protect against future fractures.
Recovery & Return to Activity
| Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Same day | Usually home the same day. Many patients notice significant pain relief within 24–48 hours as the fracture is stabilized. |
| First week | Gradual return to normal activity; brief soreness at the needle site is common. |
| Weeks 2–4 | Most normal activities resume; we address bone health to reduce future-fracture risk. |
| Month 2+ | Most of the benefit is realized; ongoing osteoporosis management as needed. |
Because kyphoplasty is needle-based, recovery is quick. Addressing the underlying bone health is an important part of the plan to reduce the chance of future compression fractures.
Risks & Complications
As with any procedure, kyphoplasty carries some risk. These include cement leakage (usually harmless, but occasionally significant), infection (uncommon), and, rarely, a new fracture at a neighboring level. Dr. Greenwald reviews your individual risks in detail and takes every precaution to keep the procedure safe.
Our Process: What to Expect, Step by Step
From your first call to your recovery, here's the path:
Schedule your visit
Call us directly — no referral required, and out-of-network patients are welcome.
Assessment & imaging
We review your history and symptoms and use MRI/X-ray to confirm the fracture and that it's the source of your pain.
Discuss your options
Dr. Greenwald explains your choices — bracing, vertebroplasty, or kyphoplasty — and recommends what's best for you.
Prepare for the procedure
Preparation is simple — it's an outpatient procedure under light sedation. We handle your insurance and out-of-network paperwork.
The procedure
The minimally invasive kyphoplasty itself, performed under live X-ray guidance in about 30–60 minutes.
Post-procedure care
Recovery guidance plus a bone-health plan to lower the risk of future fractures.
Insurance & Out-of-Network Spine Care
Out-of-network care is our specialty. Many of our patients choose us specifically because we welcome and specialize in out-of-network spine care — and we handle the legwork for you. We verify your benefits, manage the authorization and paperwork, and explain your likely costs clearly before anything is scheduled, so there are no surprises. No referral is required.
Injured in an Accident?
If your compression fracture is related to a car accident, slip-and-fall, or other injury, we offer a dedicated pathway: prompt evaluation, thorough documentation and records for your case, and direct coordination with your personal-injury attorney.
Why Choose Our Kyphoplasty Specialists in Phoenix
Your procedure is performed by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise means that if a fracture turns out to be more complex than a simple compression fracture, you're already with the expert who can treat it. We welcome out-of-network patients, require no referral, and pair every kyphoplasty with a bone-health plan to protect your spine going forward.
A rare dual credential — so the specialist who repairs your fracture can also handle anything more complex.
A needle-based, outpatient procedure — most patients feel significantly better within a day or two.
We welcome out-of-network patients and handle the benefits and paperwork for you. No referral needed.
We don't just fix the fracture — we help protect you from the next one.
Proudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area
Patients travel to Desert Spine and Pain from across Arizona for specialist spine care — because the right spine surgeon is worth the drive. We welcome patients from Phoenix and communities throughout the Valley and beyond:
…and surrounding Arizona communities. Out-of-network patients are welcome, and no referral is required — schedule a consultation.
Related Procedures
Vertebroplasty
Bone cement injected directly into the fractured vertebra — without a balloon — to stabilize it and relieve pain.
VertebroplastyVertebral Repair
Explore all of our vertebral repair options for painful spinal fractures.
Vertebral RepairCompression Fractures
Learn about the condition kyphoplasty treats, and how we approach it.
Compression FracturesRelieve a painful compression fracture — fast.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix for prompt, minimally invasive kyphoplasty — out-of-network welcome.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Kyphoplasty: Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty?
Both inject bone cement to stabilize the fracture. Kyphoplasty first inflates a balloon to restore some lost height before the cement is placed; vertebroplasty injects cement directly. Dr. Greenwald recommends the one best suited to your fracture.
How quickly will my pain improve?
Many patients feel significant relief within 24–48 hours, because the fractured bone is stabilized and stops moving.
Is kyphoplasty surgery?
It's a minimally invasive, needle-based outpatient procedure done under live X-ray guidance — not open surgery. Most patients go home the same day.
Will I get more fractures?
If you have osteoporosis, you're at higher risk, which is why we pair kyphoplasty with a bone-health plan to reduce the chance of future fractures.
Do you take out-of-network patients?
Yes — out-of-network care is our specialty. We welcome out-of-network patients, verify your benefits, and handle the paperwork for you. No referral is required.
Do I need a referral to be seen in Phoenix?
No. You can schedule directly with our Phoenix spine specialists.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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If you’re experiencing back pain from a compression fracture, kyphoplasty may offer immediate and lasting relief. Dr. Greenwald and his experienced team will evaluate your condition, explain the procedure, and determine if you’re a good candidate for this minimally invasive treatment. Every step you take toward spinal healing brings you closer to comfort and improved mobility. Schedule your consultation today and let Dr. Greenwald help you regain your strength, stability, and quality of life through expert spine care.
Voted Best Spine Doctor
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon | Spine Surgeon | Regenerative Medicine
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon with advanced expertise in kyphoplasty. He commonly uses it to treat conditions such as vertebral compression fractures and spinal fractures, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. Using advanced, minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, Dr. Greenwald relieves nerve compression and instability while protecting healthy tissue and preserving spinal stability. His skill and patient-centered approach help patients throughout the greater Phoenix, Arizona area experience meaningful pain relief, reduced recovery time, and restored mobility.
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