Vertebroplasty, vertebral augmentation and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive outpatient procedures used to reduce the pain that can result from painful vertebral compression fractures. The procedure is usually considered after a period of time and when more conservative treatments such as bracing or other injections have not helped and pain persists. The procedure stabilizes the fractured vertebra by injecting specially formulated acrylic bone cement. After numbing the skin, one or two needles are inserted through a small incision in the skin. Under x-ray guidance the needles are inserted into the fractured vertebra. The bone cement is injected while observing under x-ray.
Vertebroplasty Surgical Procedure
- In vertebroplasty the cement is injected directly into the fractured vertebra.
- In kyphoplasty a small channel or space is made in the fractured vertebra into which a balloon-type device is placed. The cement is injected into the balloon.
- In vertebral augmentation a small channel is made in the fractured vertebra. A balloon-type device may or may not be used and cement is injected into the vertebra.
A small sample of bone can be collected during the procedure and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The bone cement hardens quickly and patients are discharged within a few hours.
