Vertebroplasty

OVER VIEW

Vertebroplasty is a percutaneous procedure(without surgury) where bone cement is injected into the vertebral body in liquid form which gets harden in few minutes & stabilizes the spine.

Vertebroplasty may be used for patients with vertebral compression fractures due to

osteoporosis,

metastatic tumors (bone cancer),

benign tumors ( example - vertebral heamangiomas. )

It provides rapid back pain relief and helps to prevent further weakening of the spine.

After an area selected by x-ray (fluoroscopy) the skin is numbed with local anaesthesia, a tube is inserted through a small incision and tip is positioned at the required vertebral body under x-ray guidance.

One or two needles (tubes) are inserted into the collapsed vertebra and used to collect diseased bone tissue for study. (For bone biopsy if indicated)

The weakened area in the vertebra is filled with bone cement to stabilize the fracture.

Once filled, the tube is removed.

In some cases, the cement may be injected in both the left and right sides of the vertebra.

Patient can be discharged on the same day or next day depending on other conditions of the patient.

Persisting severe pain from compression fractures can now be controlled or eliminated, without surgery, by vertebroplasty.

Vertebroplasty can eliminate the need for prolonged bed rest and narcotics after trauma (injury to back bone). Patients suffering from persisting debilitating pain often can "get their life back."