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Vertebroplasty provides new hope for those suffering from severe
back pain caused by osteoporosis, metastatic tumors or dialysis.
These conditions can cause bones to become brittle, resulting in
weakened vertebra. Once this happens, the smallest activity can
cause these vertebrae to collapse. The pain from these vertebral
compression fractures is extreme, which limits the possibility of
normal movement or simple activities. In the past, people who
had these types of fractures had three options: pain medications,
bed rest and external bracing. While these conservative options
are still the first choice for reducing discomfort, if severe pain
persists, patients can now be referred to a specially trained
physician to see if Vertebroplasty will work for them.
Immediate Pain Relief-Minimally
Invasive
Vertebroplasty works by stabilizing the collapsed vertebra
using a specially formulated acrylic bone cement. It's done as an
outpatient procedure-no hospitalization, no surgery-and requires
only a local anesthetic. Once the area of the spine is numb, the
doctor inserts one or two needles through a small incision. Review
how it works for more information.
Most patients experience pain relief within hours. Best of all,
patients are able to resume their daily activities within 48
hours.
If you or a loved one may be suffering from pain associated
with a vertebral compression fracture, we encourage you to discuss
this treatment option with your primary care physician.
How it
works
This information is designed to
walk you through how Vertebroplasty, an outpatient procedure,
works so that you make an informed decision about vertebroplasty
as a method of treating a vertebral compression fracture. Only a
doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this
procedure. Please discuss any questions with your physician.
Fractured vertebra.
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Diagnosis
In a compression fracture of
the vertebrae, the bone tissue of the vertebral body
collapses. More than one vertebra may be affected. This
condition is commonly caused by osteoporosis and less often by
tumor, or trauma to the back.
When the fracture occurs as a
result of osteoporosis, the vertebrae in the thoracic (chest)
and lower spine are usually affected, and symptoms may become
worse with walking.
With multiple fractures,
kyphosis, a forward hump-like curvature of the spine, may
result. Pressure on the spinal cord may occur producing
symptoms of numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Symptoms depend upon the area
of the back that is affected. In some cases, the fracture
heals without treatment and the pain goes away. In others, the
bone does not stabilize and continues to move, causing
persistent pain that in turn limits physical activities and
reduces independence.
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How the procedure works
Vertebroplasty
requires that you lie on your stomach through the entire
procedure, which is performed under local anesthesia and light
sedation. A small nick is then made in the skin near the
spine, and a needle is inserted. Biocompatible bone cement
will be injected through the needle and into the vertebral
body. The needle is removed and the cement is allowed to
harden.
 The
small opening is covered with a bandage.
Step 1: Initial Entry: A
biopsy needle is guided into the fractured vertebra through a
small incision in the skin.
Step 2a: Stabilization:
Acrylic bone cement is injected into the vertebra
Inset: Magnified view of the
interior vertebra with the cement filling in the spaces.
Step 2b: Acrylic bone cement
fills the spaces within the bone. |
Restored vertebra with
hardened cement.
Stabilized vertebral structure,
relieves pain within 48 hours post-op.
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Post operative
This procedure can take from
1-2 hours (depending on how many vertebrae are treated). You
will be required to remain for observation for one to two
hours. Typically, patients are then released to go home and
resume normal activities within 24-48 hours. In most cases,
pain caused by vertebral compression fractures will be gone or
diminished within 48 hours. You might experience some
discomfort or bruising where the needle was inserted.
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What Is Vertebroplasty?