vertebroplasty-risks3

What are the benefits vs. risks?

Vertebroplasty can increase the patient's functional abilities,
allow a return to the previous level of activity, and prevent further
vertebral collapse.
The procedure is usually successful at alleviating the pain caused by a compression fracture;
many patients feel significant relief almost immediately. After just a
few weeks, two-thirds of patients are able to lower their doses of pain
medication significantly. Many patients become symptom-free.
About 75 percent of patients regain lost mobility and become more
active, which helps combat osteoporosis. After vertebroplasty, patients
who had been immobile can get out of bed, reducing their risk of
pneumonia. Increased activity builds more muscle strength, further
encouraging mobility.
Usually, vertebroplasty is a safe and effective procedure.
No surgical incision is needed—only a small nick in the skin that does not have to be stitched closed.

Any
procedure where the skin is penetrated carries a risk of infection. The
chance of infection requiring antibiotic treatment appears to be less
than one in 1,000.
A small amount of orthopedic cement can leak out of the vertebral
body. This does not usually cause a serious problem, unless the leakage
moves into a potentially dangerous location such as the spinal canal.
Other possible complications include infection, bleeding, increased
back pain and neurological symptoms such as numbness or tingling.
Paralysis is extremely rare. Sometimes the procedure causes another
fracture in the spine or ribs.

Vertebroplasty is not:

used for herniated disks or arthritic back pain.
generally recommended for otherwise healthy younger patients,
mostly because there is limited experience with cement in a vertebral
body for longer time periods.
a preventive treatment to help patients with osteoporosis avoid future fractures. It is used only to repair a known, non-healing compression fracture.
used to correct an osteoporosis-induced curvature of the spine, but it may keep the curvature from worsening.
ideal for someone with severe emphysema or other lung disease
because it may be difficult for such individuals to lie facedown for
the one to two hours vertebroplasty requires. Special accommodations
may be made for patients with these conditions.
for patients with a healed vertebral fracture.