Vertebroplasty is a treatment that injects cement into a cracked or broken spinal bone to help relieve pain. Vertebroplasty is used most often to treat a type of injury called a compression fracture. These injuries are usually caused by osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bone. Osteoporosis is most common in older people.
Many compression fractures don’t cause any symptoms and don’t need any treatment. But if you have persistent or severe pain, vertebroplasty might help.
Shreya Hospital in Ghaziabad have Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon have expertise in treating all type of spinal and other muscular problems and diseases with ease.
Causes of Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty can relieve pain caused by compression fractures in the spine. Compression fractures most often happen when osteoporosis or cancer weakens the spinal bones.
Weakened spinal bones can crack or break into many pieces. The fractures can occur during activities that wouldn’t usually break a bone. Examples include:
- Twisting
- Bending
- Coughing or sneezing
- Lifting
- Rolling over in bed
During the procedure
You’ll wear a hospital gown. You’ll likely have a flexible narrow tube inserted into a vein in your arm or hand.
The type of anesthesia you receive depends on the type of procedure and the number of spinal bones involved. General anesthesia keeps you in a sleep-like state during the procedure. Most people, though, just need to be sedated. Sedation drugs make you relaxed and sleepy.
You’ll lie facedown and get numbing shots in your skin. Vertebroplasty usually takes about an hour. It may take longer if more than one spinal bone needs treatment.
Special types of X-rays or CT scans are taken during the procedure, to guide the needle into the spinal bone. The cement hardens within 20 minutes.
If the fracture was caused by cancer, a small sample of bone tissue may be removed for testing. Radiation treatment of that bone’s cancer also may happen before or after the procedure.
After the procedure
Most people who have vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty go home the same day. You’ll need to arrange in advance for someone else to drive you.
The place on your back where the needles were inserted might be sore for a few days. An ice pack can help relieve this pain. Protect your skin from the ice with a cloth. Use ice for about 15 minutes every hour.
You should avoid heavy lifting for at least six weeks.