Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

What is Vertebroplasty ?

Procedure overview

Vertebroplasty is a procedure in which a special medical-grade cement mixture is injected into a fractured vertebra. The vertebrae are the small bones that make up the spine. When they become fractured, you will often experience pain and a loss of mobility.When vertebroplasty is successful, the cement mixture injection stabilizes the vertebra and allows you to return to normal activity after a recovery period.

Reasons for the procedure

The main reason you would need a vertebroplasty is treat a fractured vertebra in your spine that’s causing pain and reduced function. Not all people with fractured vertebrae are candidates for a vertebroplasty, however.Your doctor may try other, more conservative methods of treating the pain first.

These are reasons that your doctor may consider a vertebroplasty for your fractured vertebra: traditional methods fail, severe/prolonged pain or immobility, or serious complications.

Risks of the procedure

The vertebroplasty procedure is generally well-tolerated, with a low risk for side effects. The complication rate of vertebroplasty is about 1% to 3%, and most of these complications are minor.

• Hemorrhaging
• Blood loss
• Rib or other surrounding bone fractures
• Fever
• Nerve root irritation
• Infection
• Flow of cement outside of the bone before it hardens

Before the procedure

Your doctor will probably order an X-ray, take a complete medical history, and do a physical exam to determine the precise location and true nature of your vertebra-related pain. MRI or CT scanning may also be used.

During the procedure

The procedure usually takes place in operation theater. Your doctor will use a continuous X-ray to guide the needle into your body. The doctor injects the needle into the fractured bone and slowly injects the cement mixture into the vertebra.

After the procedure

Once the procedure is complete and the cement has hardened, you will likely remain in an observation room for an additional 1 hour to 2 hours. You may experience pain relief almost immediately after the procedure, but for some people it takes up to 72 hours.

Procedure Images