Some patients experience immediate pain relief and most report that their pain is gone or significantly better within 48 hours. Typically, patients resume normal activity within 24 hours. 

You should report to your radiologist all medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements, and if you have any allergies, especially to local anesthetic medications, general anesthesia or to contrast materials containing iodine. 

On the day of the procedure, you should be able to take your usual medications with sips of water or clear liquid up to six hours before the procedure. You should avoid drinking juice, cream and milk.

On the day of your procedure, you should plan to have a relative or friend drive you home.

• Vertebroplasty can increase a patient’s functional abilities and allow return to the previous level of activity without any form of physical therapy or rehabilitation.
• Many patients feel significant relief almost immediately or within a few days. Many patients become symptom-free.
• No surgical incision is needed—only a small nick in the skin that does not have to be stitched closed.

• Any procedure where the skin is penetrated carries a risk of infection. The chance of infection requiring antibiotic treatment appears to be less than one in 1,000.
• Other possible complications include infection, bleeding, increased back pain and neurological symptoms such as numbness or tingling. 
• There is a low risk of allergic reaction to the medications.
• l significant relief almost immediately or within a few days. Many patients become symptom-free.
• No surgical incision is needed—only a small nick in the skin that does not have to be stitched closed.