Vertebroplasty (say "VER-tuh-broh-plas-tee") is done to relieve pain from compression fractures of the spine.
The doctor will make a small cut in your back and insert a hollow needle or tube. When the needle is in place, the doctor injects a type of cement into the vertebra. The entire procedure can take about an hour. The cement mixture will get hard in about half an hour.
You will likely go home the same day. You may take some pain medicine for a few days.
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Experts don't all agree about how well vertebroplasty works. There is no strong evidence that vertebroplasty is better than nonsurgical treatment, such as pain medicine, rest, and exercise. If nonsurgical treatment doesn't help, vertebroplasty may be an option for some people.
Vertebroplasty takes about an hour. The injection usually takes only about 10 minutes.
Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.
Some possible problems from vertebroplasty include:
Problems are more common when more than one vertebra is treated at the same time.
Talk to your doctor about how this surgery compares with other treatments you might have.
Vertebroplasty is a surgery that is done to try to relieve pain from compression fractures of the spine by stabilizing the broken bone with a type of cement. The surgery is not done very often, because most fractures heal on their own. Fractures can happen because of osteoporosis, tumors, or other conditions.
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After vertebroplasty to relieve pain from compression fractures, you may feel sore where the hollow needle went into your back. The soreness should go away in a few days.
You likely will go home the same day. You may take some pain medicine for a couple of days.
Most people are able to return to their daily activities within a day after the procedure.
Your doctor will numb the area and make a small cut in your back. A hollow needle or tube will then be inserted. The doctor guides the needle to the fractured area using fluoroscopy. This is a kind of X-ray.
When the needle is in place, the doctor injects a type of cement into the vertebra. The cement mixture hardens in about half an hour.
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