Vertebroplasty is done in a hospital or outpatient clinic.
You lay face down on a table. The health care provider cleans the area of your back and applies medicine to numb the area.
The doctor places a large needle through the skin and into the spine bone. Real-time x-ray images are used to guide the doctor to the correct area in your lower back.
Cement is then injected into the space to make sure it does not collapse again.
This procedure is similar to kyphoplasty, but it does not use a balloon to restore the spinal bone's height.
IndicationsA common cause of compression fractures of the spine is thinning of your bones, or osteoporosis. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you have severe and disabling pain for 2 months or more that does not get better with bed rest, pain medicines, and physical therapy.
Your doctor may also recommend this procedure if you have a painful compression fractures of the spine due to
Kyphoplasty is generally safe. Complications may include:
You will probably go home on the same day of surgery. You should not drive, unless your doctor says it is OK.
After the procedure:
Always tell your doctor or nurse:
During the days before the surgery:
On the day of the surgery:
Patients who have this procedure usually have less pain and a better quality of life after the surgery.
They usually need fewer pain medicines, and can move better than before.
ReferencesEsses SI, McGuire R, Jenkins J, et al. The treatment of symptomatic osteoporotic spinal compression fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011 Mar;19(3):176-82.
Anselmetti GC, Muto M, Guglielmi G, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. Radiol Clin North Am. 2010 May;48(3):641-9.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/01/2011
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
percutaneous vertebroplasty
percutaneous vertebroplasty
percutaneous vertebroplasty
For an elderly person they should consider vertebroplasty where an injection of filler retains the shape of the verteba. For many it is rest and pain relief
For an elderly person they should consider vertebroplasty where an injection of filler retains the shape of the verteba. For many it is rest and pain relief
Treatments for benign vertebral hemangioma vary depending on the type and symptoms, if any, caused by the tumor. Treatments may include radiation therapy, embolization, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, intralesional alcohol injection, and as a last resort, surgical removal.
There are several different terms that could mean surgical repair of the spine, depending on which particular part of the spine was being repaired. Some examples include spinal fusion, disk replacement, discectomy, and many more.
Osteoporosis-related compression fractures are typically treated by healthcare professionals such as orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and primary care physicians. Treatment may include pain management, physical therapy, and medications to strengthen bone density. In some cases, minimally invasive procedures like vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty may be performed to stabilize the fracture and relieve pain. Regular follow-up and monitoring are essential to manage osteoporosis effectively.
Normal anatomyThe spine is made up of bones (vertebrae) separated by soft cushions (intervertebral discs).IndicationVertebral fractures occur in thousands of people each year. The main cause of these fractures is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes bone to lose strength and become weak and susceptible to fractures.ProcedureUsing a special x-ray machine, a bone needle is guided through the skin and into the fractured vertebra. A cement-like material called polymethylmethacrylate acrylic cement (PMMA) is injected into the vertebra. The needle is removed and the cement hardens, stabilizing the vertebra.AftercareVertebroplasty is a relatively new procedure. It helps to stabilize the vertebral fracture which in turn helps reduce or eliminate the patient's pain.Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/13/2006A.D.A.M. Medical Illustration Team: Meredith Nienkamp, M.S.M.I., Dan Johnson, M.S.M.I., Lisa Higginbotham, M.S.M.I. Review also provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
"T7" refers to your 7th thoracic vertebrae, one of the bones that make up your spine. It is located at the level of the bottom of your scapula (shoulder blade). The vertebrae are shaped like short cylinders, and are mostly hollow inside. Trauma or, often, old age and weakening bones, can cause these bones to partially collapse onto themselves. A "mild anterior wedge compression fracture" would mean that the front of the 7th vertebrae is partially collapsed in on itself so that the vertebra is now shorter in front than in back. "Mild" means it's not severe. Many people will have these fractures with no serious problems aside from occasional back pain. However, if they are severe, or multiple, you may have more problems, including numbness, tingling or pain in areas due to nerves coming from the spinal cord being compressed by the misshapen spine in that area. If the person has back pain in the upper back between the shoulder blades, this suggests that this deformity is a symptomatic fracture, which responds to vertebroplasty in 95% of cases regardless of age. Even if there is no pain, it is indicative of either significant prior trauma or weak bone, most commonly osteoporosis. In general, this should be treated medically to reduce future fracture risk.
One of the most serious of degenerative bone diseases, osteoporosis plagues mostly women and has no symptoms early in its progression, but is quite painful in its late stages. There are some ways to treat osteoporosis though. Medicines and lifestyle changes are the most common methods of osteoporosis treatment. There are Bisphosphonates which can stop or delay bone loss in women who have already gone through menopause, Calcitonin nasal spray can relieve bone pain, and parathyroid hormone which can help strengthen bones in women who are prone to breaks. There are exercises that can help with osteoporosis such as lifting weights, playing tennis, rowing machines, dancing, yoga, and running. These help keep bones strong by bearing weight and using tension to test the durability of bones in patients going through osteoporosis treatment. There are vitamins that can enhance the calcium level in the body, which builds bone tissue. Diet is another way to help keep the symptoms of osteoporosis at bay. Calcium-rich foods such as cheese, yogurt, milk, spinach, sardines, and tofu are very good for people who suffer from osteoporosis. Calcium is the most important thing that someone undergoing osteoporosis treatment can have. Bone density tests should be done on average of once every two to three years. Smoking and alcohol can make the symptoms and progression of osteoporosis worse. Alcohol can also lead to falling, which is never good for anyone who has bone density loss. Most patients who are undergoing osteoporosis treatment are instructed to stop taking any medicines which can inhibit their motor functions or ability to stand and walk correctly. Treating osteoporosis with surgery is not an option currently, but there is a great deal of research being done to find a treatment. There is a smaller surgery to repair individual vertebrae damaged by osteoporosis called a vertebroplasty. You can also have a procedure done to repair cracks in broken bones as well, which is called a kyphoplasty and uses glue to fill in missing bone fragments. Prednisone, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain types of cancer can cause osteoporosis, but there are treatments for patients with this degenerative bone disease. Diet, medicines, exercises, and cessation of certain activities can prevent the worsening of osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about being at risk for osteoporosis or for proper osteoporosis treatment options.
DefinitionKyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure used to treat painful compression fractures in the spine. In a compression fracture, all or part of a spine bone collapses.The procedure is also called balloon kyphoplasty.Alternative NamesBalloon kyphoplasty DescriptionKyphoplasty is done in a hospital or outpatient clinic.You may have local anesthesia (awake and unable to feel pain). You will likely also receive medicine to help you relax and feel sleepy.You may receive general anesthesia. You will be asleep and unable to feel pain.You lay face down on a table. The health care provider cleans the area of your back and applies medicine to numb the area.The doctor places a large needle through the skin and into the spine bone. Real-time x-ray images are used to guide the doctor to the correct area in your lower back.A balloon is placed through the needle, into the bone, and then inflated. This restores the height of the vertebrae. Cement is then injected into the space to make sure it does not collapse again.IndicationsA common cause of compression fractures of the spine is thinning of your bones, or osteoporosis. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you have severe and disabling pain for 2 months or more that does not get better with bed rest, pain medicines, and physical therapy.Your doctor may also recommend this procedure if you have a painful compression fractures of the spine due toCancer, including multiple myelomaInjury that caused broken bones in the spineRisksKyphoplasty is generally safe. Complications may include:BleedingInfectionAllergic reactions to medicinesBreathing or heart problems if you have general anesthesiaLeakage of the bone cement into surrounding area (this can cause pain if it affects the spine or nerves)Expectations after surgeryYou will probably go home on the same day of surgery. You should not drive, unless your doctor says it is OK.After the procedure:You should be able to walk. However, it's best to stay in bed for the first 24 hours, expect to use the bathroom.After 24 hours, slowly return to your regular activities.Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for at least 6 weeks.Apply ice to the wound area if you have pain where the needle was inserted.Before You Have the ProcedureBefore surgery, always tell your doctor or nurse:If you could be pregnantWhat drugs you are taking, even those you buy without a prescriptionIf you have been drinking a lot of alcoholDuring the days before the surgery:You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, coumadin (warfarin), and other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of the surgery.If you smoke, tried to stopOn the day of the surgery:You will usually be told not to drink or eat a anything for several hours before the test.Take your drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive.ConvalescencePatients who have kyphoplasty usually have less pain and a better quality of life after the surgery. They usually need fewer pain medicines, and can move better than before.ReferencesWardlaw D, Cummings SR, Van Meirhaeghe J, et al. Efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty compared with non-surgical care for vertebral compression fracture (FREE): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2009;373(9668):1016-24.Berenson J, Pflugmacher R, Jarzem P, et al.; Cancer Patient Fracture Evaluation (CAFE) Investigators. Balloon kyphoplasty versus non-surgical fracture management for treatment of painful vertebral body compression fractures in patients with cancer: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol. 2011 Mar;12(3):225-35.Anselmetti GC, Muto M, Guglielmi G, et al. Percutaneous vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. Radiol Clin North Am. 2010 May;48(3):641-9.Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/01/2011David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.