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 vertebrae. 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 our specially trained physicians to see if Vertebroplasty will work for them.

Vertebroplasty works by stabilizing the collapsed vertebrae using a specially formulated acrylic bone cement. It's done as an outpatient procedure with 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.

Most patients experience pain relief within hours. Best of all, patients are able to resume their daily activities within 48 hours.

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 thought 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.

The 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 dimished within 48 hours.

• Complications are rare - only 1-3% in patients with osteoporotic compression fractures.
• Complications may include:
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Increased back pain
  • Fracture in the spine or ribs
  • Numbness, tingling
  • Extravasation of cement
  • Paralysis
• The procedure may make no change in your pain, make it worse, or cause residual pain.
• Rarely, reactions to the local anesthetic drugs can cause flushing, ringing in your ears, or very rarely, seizures.
• Allergic reactions to medications may cause your heart and breathing to stop, damaging your brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, or may cause death.

• You may experience some discomfort or bruising where the needle was inserted.