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What is Vertebroplasty?
Vertebroplasty is an image-guided, minimally-invasive nonsurgical therapy used to treat painful compression fractures in the spine by injecting a cement-like substance into the bone.
The vertebra has generally been weakened by osteoporosis or, less commonly, cancer. Vertebroplasty is accomplished by injecting an orthopedic cement mixture through a needle into the fractured bone.
Diagnosis
Either a CT or MRI exam will be performed to confirm the presence of a compression fracture. A board-certified neuroradiologist (a doctor who has extensive training and expertise in medical imaging) will analyze the images and determine the age and location of the fracture.
You will have an hour-long consultation at Suburban Imaging with a healthcare provider specially trained in vertebroplasty. A physical evaluation will be performed using fluoroscopy, a type of low-dose x-ray.
If you are assessed as an appropriate candidate, your procedure will be scheduled at either Mercy Hospital, Unity Hospital, or Southdale Hospital, depending on the location of your Suburban Imaging consultation.
How successful is the procedure?
Vertebroplasty can increase the patient’s functional abilities, allow a return to the previous level of activity, and prevent further vertebral collapse. It is usually successful at alleviating the pain caused by a compression fracture. Patients with vertebral damage due to a malignant tumor may sometimes benefit from vertebroplasty.
How you should prepare for the procedure
Complete preparation instructions will be given to you by a staff member from the hospital. In general, the following apply:
Do not eat or drink anything for two hours prior to the procedure.If you are taking blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid), you will have to stop the medication prior to the procedure. Contact your healthcare provider before stopping any medication to determine if it is safe for you.Bring someone to drive you home.
How is the procedure performed?
You will be sedated and receive a local anesthetic to numb the skin and the muscles near the spinal fracture. Antibiotics are administered to prevent infection. Guided by a fluoroscope, a neuroradiologist will place a hollow needle into the fractured vertebra through a small incision. Once the needle is in the proper location, orthopedic cement is injected. This cement hardens quickly over the next 10 - 20 minutes. Vertebroplasty usually takes less than two hours (longer if more than one site is being treated).
After the procedure
Most patients are able to bear weight soon after undergoing vertebroplasty. They can walk in about three hours after the procedure; the radiologist can often tell at that point if the procedure was successful. In some cases, it can take a few days for the doctor to make this assessment.
Unless directed otherwise, you may resume your normal diet and prescribed medications. Gradually increase activities, with no rigorous activities until the next day.
For two to three days after the procedure, you may feel a bit sore at the point of the needle insertion. You can use an ice pack to relieve any discomfort, but be sure to protect your skin from the ice with a cloth. Use the pack for no more than 15 minutes per hour.
As with any procedure involving a needle, there is a small chance of infection or bleeding. Rarely there could be neural injury, headache, temporary numbness, weakness or facial flushing.
Vertebroplasty is performed in a hospital setting. Please call 763-792-1900 (north metro) or 952-345-4179 (south metro). |
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