Mark J. Downey, MD & Alex Cotter, MD
10 Old Montgomery Hwy #200. Homewood, AL 35209
Appointments & Referrals: (205) 271-6511
Kyphoplasty is a type of Vertebral Augmentation for Compression Fractures. A kyphoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to treat a compression fracture of the spine and stabilize a vertebral bone, resulting in back to normal spinal stability and stopping the pain caused by the fracture.
Kyphoplasty surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia and typically takes 45-60 minutes for each fractured vertebra.
The surgery consists of a small incision made in the back and a narrow tube is inserted toward the facture site guided in real time by fluoroscopy. A specialized small balloon is inserted into the vertebrae and very carefully inflated which moves the factured bone pieces back into their normal resting position. The balloon is then removed and a hard cement-like material called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is filled into the cavity, which hardens and gives strength and structure back to that individual vertebrae.
Patients will be observed in the recovery room immediately following the procedure and may spend one day in the hospital. You should arrange for transportation home from the hospital and should not drive until given permission by your physician.
As a physiatrist, Dr. Downey specializes in diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of pain-related spinal disorders. He is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) since 2007 and uses his comprehensive spine and musculoskeletal training to determine the appropriate line of treatment for a variety of spinal conditions.
Dr. Alex Cotter uses his background in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as Pain Medicine to provide comprehensive non-surgical treatment for a variety of spinal conditions. Specializing in interventional spine, he offers fluoroscopic spinal injection procedures to relieve spine-related pain and restore patients’ normal activities and function.
As a community service, Spine Group Alabama mails out a free 36-page Home Remedy Book with customized stretches that can relieve some back and neck pain symptoms. Enter your name and address and we will mail you a copy.
Some symptoms can become permanent if you don’t see the physician with in 24 hours. Find out when you can use “watchful waiting” and when you have an emergency symptom.
Spine Group Alabama specializes in the treatment of back pain, neck pain, herniated discs, and all types of ligament strain related to the neck and low back. Spine Group Alabama is referred back and neck pain patients from across Alabama, including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Huntsville and Montgomery.
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 4:30pm
Friday: 8am - 2:30pm
Saturday/Sunday: Closed
(205) 271-6511