Vertebroplasty

Is Vertebroplasty Right for Your Patient?

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses bone cement to help stabilize a fractured vertebrae. It is typically done under local anesthesia and patients are able to regain their normal activities within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

Vertebral compression fractures most often occur in the lower and mid-spine where the vertebrae become brittle as a result of osteoporosis or low bone mass. They are often very painful but the majority of them heal over time. Most people with fractures do well with bed rest, pain medication and occasionally, back bracing. In other patients with osteoporosis or the other causes listed above, the pain from a compression fracture is so severe that this type of treatment is of little help. The pain never fully goes away. Vertebroplasty has been used to successfully treat these patients.

A patient with a vertebral compression fracture in either the mid (thoracic) or lower (lumbar) region of their spine may be a candidate for vertebroplasty. The procedure is not recommended for patients with fractures in the upper (cervical) spine.

If patients meet this initial criteria for a vertebroplasty, their physician will ask them to undergo x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, in some cases, CT and bone scans. This information is then analyzed to determine if the pain they are experiencing is being caused by a vertebral compression fracture rather than a herniated disk, compressed spine cord or another back disorder.

Learn more about how this procedure works. Download patient brochure.

Who is not a candidate for vertebroplasty?

Patients with fractures from severe trauma (automobile accident, falls, etc) are usually not candidates for vertebroplasty. Patients with other types of back problems such as herniated, or "slipped" disc, arthritis of the back, muscle spasms or narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) will not be helped by vertebroplasty