What Is Vertebroplasty? How Does It Treat Spinal Fractures?

 

A spinal fracture can be very problematic and serious. One helpful procedure that can help you with this painful condition is vertebroplasty. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal fracture, knowing what a vertebroplasty procedure is and how it works can help you make informed decisions about treatment options. Let’s learn about the vertebroplasty procedure.

What is Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is a procedure that is minimally invasive and designed to treat vertebral compression fractures (VCFs).

Minimally invasive means that in this procedure, only very tiny cuts are made. It speeds up recovery and is much gentler on the body.

VCFs, or spinal fractures, are common injuries, especially in older people or those with osteoporosis (a disease that causes bones to become brittle and weak). 

In a vertebroplasty procedure, a special bone cement of medical quality is injected into the broken vertebra, offering support and relief from pain.

 

Vertebroplasty Procedure

Step 1: You Are Prepared for the Procedure

You will have a thorough checkup, which will involve a health history and testing such as X-rays or CT scans. This helps with pinpointing the fractured part of the spine and assessing the overall spinal health.

Step 2: You Will Be Given Anesthesia

On the day of the procedure, you will receive local anesthesia to numb the area where the needle will go.

Step 3: The Needle Placement Is Done

The kyphoplasty treatment doctor makes a tiny cut in the skin, and a hollow needle is gently guided through the tissue and muscles to get to the fractured vertebra. This is usually done with guidance from real-time X-rays, also known as fluoroscopy, to guarantee accurate needle placement.

Step 4: Cement Injection Is Injected

When the needle is correctly positioned, the bone cement is injected into the collapsed spine. The cement is a material that sets quickly, securing the fractured bone and avoiding further damage.

Step 5: You Are Moved to the Recovery Room

The needle is then taken out, and a tiny bandage is put on top of the incision. You then go to a recovery area to be monitored and released the same day or the next day.

 

How does Vertebroplasty Treat Spinal Fractures?

The main purpose of vertebroplasty is to ease pain, stabilize the spine, and improve your overall quality of life. Here's how this happens:

Pain Management: The injection of bone cement offers immediate support for the broken spine, which reduces pressure on the nerves and surrounding tissues. This helps relieve the severe pain that spinal fractures cause.

Stabilization: The cement strengthens the weakened spine, successfully rebuilding its structure and avoiding more damage. Also, this stabilization reduces the chance of future fractures and keeps the vertebra in its correct position.

Better Mobility: By stabilizing the broken vertebra, vertebroplasty can greatly improve your ability to walk and carry out everyday tasks without worrying that the injury will worsen.

Short Recovery Time: Since vertebroplasty is minimally invasive, only a small cut is needed. This usually lets you recover quickly. The traditional open surgical procedures, however, would take a long time.

After knowing about the Vertebroplasty procedure, you will feel much more confident about your condition and how a kyphoplasty treatment doctor can help you with your spinal fracture. Remember, making an intelligent choice at the right time can improve your quality of life and speed up your return to everyday life.