My orthopedist was not eager to do kyphoplasty. He does it mainly for short term pain relief if needed, and told me the outcome was the same whether it was done or not done. There is some possibility of the cement migrating to the lungs (my doc says he has not seen this) and also the procedure makes the vertebra glass-like so there may be more risk of fracture in nearby vertebrae. I chose not to do it but did have months of pain which continues to some extent, because several of my vertebrae are fractured so the whole structure of my spine is altered. Another patient who sees my orthopedist was going to have a kyphoplasty but the doc then recommended against.