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Vertebroplasty
A vertebroplasty procedure is attempted when conventional vertebral compression fracture treatment procedures fail a patient. Failure may be indicated by minimal or no pain relief from analgesics or narcotic pain killers.
An interventional radiologist uses image guidance to pass a hollow needle through the spinal muscles and inject medical grade bone cement to stabilize a collapsed vertebra. This procedure will generally take an hour for each vertebra corrected. Stability to the spine provided by this procedure helps reduce pain, and prevent further collapse in the vertebrae by filling in weakened porous areas caused by osteoporosis.
Once the procedure is finished, the patient will lay on his or her back for two hours while the cement hardens. After this two hour periods the patient is discharged and may resume normal day to day activities. Most patients undergoing a vertebroplasty will experience a reduction in pain within a few days.
It is important that a vertebra heals properly, or it may become compressed or flattened in a wedge shape. If this happens, treatment of the compression fracture will not be effective.
What Are the Advantages to Undergoing a Vertebroplasty
As discussed above, a vertebroplasty is performed to help heal painful compression fractures in patients where conventional treatment has failed. Listed below are just a few of the advantages of undergoing this procedure:
Reduction in pain - Compression fractures are the cause of sharp and debilitating pain. Narcotic pain medication and best rest are the most common treatments prescribed for patients suffering from a compression fracture. A successful vertebroplasty procedure will reduce and possibly eliminate the need for narcotic pain medication as well as restoring mobility in many people.
Increased level of basic function - A compression fracture is felt as sharp and often debilitating pain. Many people are unable to perform their day to day tasks because the pain is so crippling. When the fracture is stabilized through the vertebroplasty, the pain levels drastically diminish allowing the patient to return to their normal daily routines.
Prevention - Although the cement does its job of correcting or setting a fracture, it also has the added benefit of filling in small spaces in the vertebral bone cause by osteoporosis. This strengthens the weakening bone and reduces the risk of it fracturing again.