Spinal Care Treatments
Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive spinal procedure used to treat painful
fractures or injuries to vertebra, or 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 more vertebrae in the spine,
are a common symptom and result of osteoporosis.
Vertebroplasty involves injecting a special cement mixture into
the small holes in weakened vertebrae to strengthen the spinal
bones making them less likely to fracture again and providing pain
relief. Through a small incision and guided by a fluoroscope, a
hollow needle passes through the spinal muscles and into the fractured
vertebra. Cameras guide the needle to the correct position and
then bone cement is injected through the needle into the vertebra.
After the procedure, patients lie flat on their backs for a period
of time while the cement hardens. They are then discharged and
can resume normal activity. The majority of patients have significant
pain relief within a few days.