[Kyphoplasty update : What are the limits - what is possible?]

Kyphoplasty is an established procedure for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Developments in instrumentation and techniques have facilitated its use also for other localizations. In the hands of experienced practitioners smaller working cannulas and balloons have made successful treatment of high thoracic and cervical fractures and metastases possible. Balloon kyphoplasty performed for sacral insufficiency fractures in older patients plagued by chronic pain leads to marked pain reduction as well as faster weight-bearing. There are also early research results regarding the repair of tibial head defects and reinforcement with resorbable cement. These new procedures, which are currently applied by only a few surgeons, will be introduced and described in a case-specific manner.