Balloon Neuroplasty

Ballooning the narrowed spinal canal for better blood flow
What is balloon dilation?
Orthopedics at She's Heal Clinic
The Balloon Augmentation Procedure
Orthopedics at She's Heal Clinic
About the Balloon Augmentation Procedure
Orthopedics at She's Heal Clinic

What is balloon dilation?

Narrowed blood vessels can prevent blood from flowing smoothly and deprive the heart of oxygen, which can lead to cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction. Balloon dilation dilates blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Balloon dilatation is a non-surgical treatment that is an advance over traditional neuroplasty, in which a catheter with a balloon is inserted into the spine to widen the spinal nerve canal (intervertebral foramen) that has narrowed due to degenerative changes in the spine.

It's especially effective for intractable spinal stenosis, where narrowing and pain don't go away despite spinal procedures.

Balloon Dilatation Neuroplasty

The Balloon Augmentation Procedure

As with neuroplasty, the treatment is short, lasting 20 to 30 minutes, and is performed under local anesthesia with the patient talking through the procedure. Repeat procedures can help improve symptoms, but due to the steroids used, it is recommended that you do not have them more than three to four times a year if possible.

STEP 1

Inserting a catheter with a balloon in a narrowed spinal canal

STEP 2

Inflate the balloon to increase the space in the neural tube

STEP 3

Injecting special medication into the nerve canal to reduce inflammation

About the Balloon Augmentation Procedure

For whom

  • Symptoms persist after 6 weeks or more of conservative treatment
  • Recurrence after 2 or more nerve block injections
  • Effective for moderate to low stenosis, especially soft stenosis

Therapeutic effects

  • Better adhesion removal than traditional neuroplasty.
  • Inject anti-inflammatory medication into the dilated space to relieve pain.
  • Improves blood circulation and reduces pressure around the nerves.

How to do it

  • It uses a thin catheter with a special balloon.
  • Insert a catheter through the tailbone to access the stenosis.
  • Repeat the expansion and relaxation of the balloon to widen the narrowed intervertebral foramen.

Caveats

  • Balloon dilation is performed for no more than 5 seconds to avoid nerve damage.
  • Excessive exercise after the procedure can put strain on your back.
  • It may be considered for patients with moderate to severe spinal stenosis.
Open up narrowed spinal canal with balloon dilation with neuroplasty advancements

X-ray Imager C-Arm

C-Arm is a mobile X-ray imaging device used in operating rooms and emergency rooms for accurate diagnosis. It is a surgical imaging diagnostic device that transmits X-rays to the procedure site and provides various information such as the condition of the skeleton and nerves, the presence, size, and location of lesions in real time.

The C-Arm, a high-quality digital imaging device, leads to accurate diagnosis and faster procedures.

Balloon Augmentation C-Arm Photograph 1
Balloon Augmentation C-Arm Photograph 2

C-Arm view of a balloon dilation procedure

C-Arm Imaging Diagnostic Equipment

Balloon dilation is more effective at removing adhesions than traditional neuroplasty, and anti-inflammatory medications are injected into the expanded space to reduce pain.

Balloon dilation is a procedure that evolved from neuroplasty, in which a catheter with a balloon is inserted into the spine to increase the width of a narrowed spinal canal.