Learn About Vertebroplasty

What is the definition of Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is often an outpatient procedure used to treat painful compression fractures in the spine. In a compression fracture, all or part of a spine bone collapses.

What are the alternative names for Vertebroplasty?

Osteoporosis - vertebroplasty

What happens during a Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is done in a hospital or outpatient surgery center.

  • 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 will lie face down on a table. The surgeon cleans the area of your back and applies medicine to numb the area.

A needle is placed through the skin and into the spine bone. Real-time x-ray images are used to guide the surgeon to the correct area in your lower back.

Cement is then injected into the broken spine bone to make sure it does not collapse again.

This procedure is similar to kyphoplasty. However, kyphoplasty involves the use of a balloon that is inflated at the end of the needle to create space between the vertebrae.

Why would someone need a Vertebroplasty?

A common cause of compression fractures of the spine is thinning of your bones, or osteoporosis. Your health care provider may recommend this procedure if you have severe and disabling pain for 2 months or more after a compression fracture that does not get better with bed rest, pain medicines, and physical therapy.

Your provider may also recommend this procedure if you have a painful compression fracture of the spine due to:

  • Cancer, including multiple myeloma
  • Injury that caused broken bones in the spine
What are the risks?

Vertebroplasty is generally safe. Complications may include:

  • Bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Blood clots.
  • Allergic reactions to medicines.
  • Breathing or heart problems if you have general anesthesia.
  • Nerve injuries.
  • Leakage of the bone cement into surrounding areas (this can cause pain if it affects the spinal cord or nerves). This problem is more common with this procedure than kyphoplasty. You may need spine surgery to remove the leakage if it occurs.
How to prepare for a Vertebroplasty

Always tell your surgeon:

  • If you could be pregnant
  • What medicines you are taking, including those you bought without a prescription
  • If you have been drinking a lot of alcohol

During the days before the surgery:

  • You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, coumadin (Warfarin), and any other medicines that make it hard for your blood to clot several days before.
  • Ask which medicines you should still take on the day of the surgery.
  • If you smoke, try to stop.

On the day of the surgery:

  • You will most often be told not to drink or eat anything for several hours before surgery.
  • Take the medicines your provider told you to take with a small sip of water.
  • You will be told when to arrive.
What to expect after a Vertebroplasty

You will probably go home on the same day of surgery. You should not drive, unless your surgeon 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, except 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.
What is the outlook (prognosis) for Vertebroplasty?

People who have this procedure often have less pain and a better quality of life after the surgery.

They most often need fewer pain medicines, and can move better than before.

Who are the top Vertebroplasty Local Doctors?
Internal Medicine | Hospital Medicine
Internal Medicine | Hospital Medicine

Auburn Community Hospital

17 Lansing St, 
Auburn, NY 
 6.9 mi

Janet Maltez is a Hospital Medicine provider in Auburn, New York. Dr. Maltez and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Vertebroplasty. Her top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Gallbladder Disease, Ureteroscopy, and Endoscopy.

Crouse Medical Practice PLLC

739 Irving Ave, Suite 600, 
Syracuse, NY 
 16.1 mi
Offers Telehealth

Clifford Soults is a Neurosurgery provider in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Soults and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Vertebroplasty. His top areas of expertise are Radiation Induced Meningioma, Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Vertebroplasty, and Bone Graft.

 
 
 
 
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Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

St Josephs Medical PC

301 Prospect Ave, Suite 706, 
Syracuse, NY 
 16.0 mi

Mary Daye is an Internal Medicine provider in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Daye and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Vertebroplasty. Her top areas of expertise are Salmonella Enterocolitis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Rhabdomyolysis, Vertebroplasty, and Bone Graft.

What are the latest Vertebroplasty Clinical Trials?
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Vs. Sham for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures Focusing on Pain and Economy: a Single-center, Double-blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Summary: The purpose of this randomized double-blind clinical trial is to determine the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in relieving severe pain in patients with MRI-verified acute or sub-acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) compared to sham as well as examine the socio-economic implications associated with performing vertebroplasty. The primary outcome is improvement of...

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Palliative Treatment of Patients With Multiple Myeloma and Painful Vertebral Lesions. A Cross-sectoral Randomized Controlled Trial of Vertebroplasty in Addition to Regular Medical Treatment.

Summary: Patients with newly diagnosed or known multiple myeloma with newly diagnosed vertebral lesion(s) will be invited to participate in a cross-sectoral randomized controlled trial. The trial will compare two groups of patients which either receive regular medical treatment of their vertebral lesion(s) or vertebroplasty in addition to regular medical treatment. Our goal is to investigate the effectiven...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: August 25, 2023
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Savage JW, Anderson PA. Osteoporotic spinal fractures. In: Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Krettek C, Anderson PA, eds. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 35.

Weber TJ. Osteoporosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 225.

Williams KD. Fractures, dislocations, and fracture-dislocations of the spine. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 41.