Treatment: Vertebroplasty

People who do not respond to conservative treatment or who continue to have severe pain may be candidates for an innovative advanced treatment called percutaneous vertebroplasty.

This outpatient radiologic procedure involves numbing the spine and injecting specially formulated acrylic bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA) with one or two needles through a small incision into the collapsed vertebra. The cement stabilizes and strengthens the fracture and vertebral body. These cements have been used in orthopedics since 1960s and have a proven safety record.

The entire procedure takes approximately 40 minutes per level treated. 90% of patients experience pain relief within hours. Best of all, patients are able to resume their daily activities within 48 hours. Most patients are fully recovered after 6-12 weeks, and can return to a normal exercise program after the fracture has fully healed. The risk of complication is low.

If you or a loved one may be suffering from pain associated with a vertebral compression fracture, we encourage you to review the procedure for more information and discuss this treatment option with your primary care physician.

Anterior wedge compression fracture with intact posterior vertebral cortex.
Transpedicular placement of a needle in the anterior third of the fractured vertebral body.
Close-up of needle inserted into the vertebral body.
Anterior wedge compression fracture after fusion of the fracture fragments with methylmethacrylate (bone cement).

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