Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure to treat spinal compression fractures. Compression fractures are breaks in the bones that make up your spine (vertebrae). When the broken pieces of bone rub together, it causes pain. Vertebroplasty uses surgical cement to hold your bones in place to prevent them from collapsing and provide pain relief. You may hear a healthcare provider refer to vertebroplasty as a percutaneous vertebroplasty.

What does vertebroplasty treat or manage?

Vertebroplasty treats compression fractures. These bone breaks happen due to osteoporosis, spinal injury, and cancer like multiple myeloma. You may be a candidate for vertebroplasty if you have severe pain caused by a compression fracture. This pain lasts for at least two months and doesnt get better with other forms of treatment like rest, medications, and physical therapy.

Procedure Details

Preparation

If your doctor recommends vertebroplasty, you will consult with a surgeon. Theyll do a physical examination to assess your symptoms and the results of numerous tests, which may include:

• A spine X-ray.
• An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT scan (computerized tomography).
• DEXA (DXA) bone density scan.
• Blood tests.

You will schedule the operation during this visit. Prior to a vertebroplasty, your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions, which may include:

• Stop taking specific medications, such as blood thinners. Do not discontinue your medication unless your doctor has given you permission.
• Take the medications prescribed by your surgeon prior to the date of surgery.
• Do not eat anything for several hours before the procedure. You may be able to drink sips of water while taking any medications on the day of the procedure.
• Dress loosely and comfortably on the day of your procedure. Do not wear jewelry.
• Stop smoking.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.

During vertebroplasty

On the day of your procedure, youll go to a hospital or outpatient clinic at your scheduled time. Youll change into a gown and lay on your stomach in the treatment room. An anesthesiologist will give you moderate sedation or general anesthesia while your surgeon will perform the procedure. You wont feel strong, sharp pain during vertebroplasty. After the anesthetic sets in, your surgeon will insert a needle into your skin. Theyll use a type of X-ray called fluoroscopy to guide the needle into the proper position in your bone. Through the needle, your surgeon will inject surgical cement into the affected area of the bone. The cement holds your bones together.

After vertebroplasty

When your surgeon finishes the procedure, theyll remove the needle and place a bandage over the puncture site. Youll need to leave this bandage on for a couple of days as your healthcare provider recommends. You may need someones help to remove the bandage from your back when its time to take it off. Someone will have to drive you home after your procedure. You can go home the same day and should anticipate resting for about 24 hours. Avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercises for a few weeks following vertebroplasty.

Benefits

The benefits of vertebroplasty include:

• Reduced or eliminated pain.
• It prevents the worsening of kyphosis (hunched-over posture).
• Its minimally invasive.
• A short procedure time.
• No physical therapy is required after the procedure.

Side effects

A healthcare provider will discuss the possible side effects of vertebroplasty before your procedure. Complications are rare but may include:

• Bleeding or infection.
• Blood clots.
• Allergic reaction.
• Nerve damage.
• Cement moves (migrates) within your body.

Conclusion

Vertebroplasty is a successful, minimally invasive treatment for individuals suffering from spinal compression fractures, particularly those caused by osteoporosis, malignancy, or trauma. The operation can significantly reduce pain, increase spinal stability, and improve overall quality of life. While there are some dangers, vertebroplasty is generally well tolerated and requires less recovery time than standard surgery. If you or a loved one is suffering from debilitating back pain caused by a compression fracture, speaking with a spine specialist can help establish whether vertebroplasty is the best treatment option. For information, visit Shalby International Hospitals in Gurugram.