Vertebroplasty: What It Is, Purpose, Procedure & Side Effects

19 March 2024

Understanding Vertebroplasty: A Deep Dive into Spinal Restoration

In the ever-evolving landscape of medical interventions for spinal health, Vertebroplasty stands out as a beacon of hope for those suffering from painful vertebral compression fractures. This minimally invasive procedure has gained significant traction for its effectiveness in alleviating pain and restoring mobility in patients with osteoporosis-related fractures or other conditions leading to vertebral weakness. In this blog post, we’ll explore Vertebroplasty in depth, understanding its procedure, benefits, risks, and what patients can expect during recovery.

What is Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is a medical procedure aimed at stabilizing and alleviating pain from vertebral compression fractures. These fractures often result from osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak and brittle, making them susceptible to fractures even with minimal stress. The procedure involves the injection of a medical-grade bone cement into the fractured vertebra to stabilize and strengthen it.

How Does Vertebroplasty Work?

The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia combined with mild sedation, allowing the patient to remain awake but comfortable. The patient lies face down on the procedure table while the physician uses imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy (a type of live X-ray), to accurately target the fractured vertebra.

A needle is carefully inserted through the skin and muscles of the back, directly into the fractured vertebra. Once in place, a specially formulated bone cement is injected into the vertebral body. This cement quickly hardens, providing immediate structural support to the vertebra, stabilizing the fracture, and significantly reducing pain.

Benefits of Vertebroplasty

Pain Relief: Most patients report significant or complete relief of pain soon after the procedure, allowing them to return to their normal activities much quicker than with conservative treatment.

Increased Mobility: By stabilizing the fracture and alleviating pain, vertebroplasty can help restore mobility that was limited by the fracture.

Minimally Invasive: The procedure is less invasive compared to traditional spinal surgery, leading to shorter recovery times and lower risk of complications.

Prevention of Further Vertebral Collapse: Vertebroplasty can help prevent further weakening or collapse of the treated vertebra, contributing to better long-term spinal health.

Risks and Complications

While vertebroplasty is considered safe, it carries the same general risks as other surgical procedures, including infection, bleeding, and reactions to anesthesia. Specific to vertebroplasty, there is a small risk that the bone cement could leak out of the vertebral body before it hardens, potentially leading to compression of spinal nerves or embolism. However, these complications are rare when the procedure is performed by an experienced physician.

Recovery and Post-Procedure Care

Recovery from vertebroplasty is relatively quick. Most patients can walk around just hours after the procedure and may be able to return home the same day. Pain relief is often immediate, though some may experience soreness at the needle insertion site for a few days.

Patients are generally advised to gradually increase their activity levels based on comfort and to follow up with their physician to monitor their recovery and the effectiveness of the procedure. A comprehensive osteoporosis treatment plan, including medication, diet, and physical therapy, may also be recommended to strengthen bones and prevent future fractures.

Conclusion

Vertebroplasty offers a promising solution for patients suffering from the debilitating effects of vertebral compression fractures. By providing rapid pain relief and stabilizing the spine, this minimally invasive procedure enables many individuals to reclaim their mobility and quality of life. As with any medical treatment, a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is crucial to determine if vertebroplasty is the right option, taking into account the potential benefits and risks.

Our Doctors

Dedicated IR Center for Vascular Problems in Madhya Pradesh

DR. SHAILESH GUPTA
MD, PDCC (INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY) Consultant & Co-Director CVIC (Center Of Vascular & Interventional Care)

DR. ALOK KUMAR UDIYA
MD Radiology, PDCC (Neuro intervention Radiology), PDCC ( HPB Intervention Radiology) FINR (Switzerland) & EBIR
Endovascular Surgeon & Consultant Interventional Neuroradiologist at Care CHL Hospital, Indore Co-director CVIC( center for vascular and interventional care) https://interventionradiologyindore.com/

DR. NISHANT BHARGAVA
Consultant Intervention Radiologist
MD Radiology, PDCC ( Neuro intervention Radiology), FINR ( Fellowship in Neuro intervention Radiology)
Co-director CVIC(Center for Vascular and Interventional Care)