What is Vertebroplasty?
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that strengthens a fractured or broken or vertebra, the small bones that make up the spinal column.
When a vertebra fractures, the usual rectangular shape of the bone becomes compressed and distorted, causing pain. These compression fractures, which may involve the collapse of one or more vertebrae in the spine, are a common symptom and result of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease that results in a loss of normal bone
density, mass and strength, leading to a condition in which bones are
increasingly porous or full or small holes and vulnerable to breaking. Vertebrae can also become weakened by cancer.
In vertebroplasty, physicians use image guidance to inject a special cement mixture through a needle into the fractured bone.
What are some common uses of the procedure?
Vertebroplasty is used to treat pain caused by compression fractures in the spine.
Typically, vertebroplasty is recommended after simpler treatment,
such as bed rest, a back brace or pain medication, have been
ineffective, or once medications have begun to cause other problems,
such as stomach ulcers.
Vertebroplasty can be performed immediately in patients who have severe
pain requiring hospitalization or conditions that limit bed rest and
medications.
Vertebroplasty is also performed on patients who:
- are too elderly or frail to tolerate open spinal surgery, or who have bones too weak for surgical spinal repair
- have vertebral damage due to a malignant tumor
- are younger and have osteoporosis caused by long-term steroid treatment or a metabolic disorder.
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