Vertebroplasty

What is a Vertebroplasty? What you can expect during a vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is an innovative procedure that provides immediate pain relief in many cases by stabilizing and reinforcing fractured vertebrae. Vertebroplasty is an outpatient procedure. Involves intravenous sedation and local anesthetic. Vertebroplasty involves injecting the bone with a cement mixture to fuse the fragments, strengthen the vertebra and provide pain relief. Using image-guidance, a hollow needle called a trocar is passed through the skin into the vertebral body for injection of the cement mixture into the vertebra.

  • Facet joints of the spine
  • Sacroiliac joint and coccyx
  • Hip joint
  • Shoulder, elbow, and hand
  • Knee, ankle and foot

Some quick information

How Long does the Procedure Take?

Vertebroplasty is safely performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure takes about one hour. Afterwards, there is a short period of observed recovery time.

What are the Expected Results?

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. 

Pre and post injection instructions

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.

What are the Benefits

  • 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.

What are the risks?

  • 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.

Our goal is to help the patient regain their quality of life

In our pain clinic, we provide pain relief so you can regain your identity.