Common Questions
About Spine Surgeries
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive, day care procedure used to treat vertebral compression fractures caused by painful osteoporosis and metastatic tumors. During vertebroplasty, A local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area of the patient’s spine, where the surgeon inserts one or two needles guidance through a small incision in the patient’s skin. Under under C- arm, the surgeon inserts the needles into the fractured vertebra through pedicals and slowly injects a small amount of bone cement into the vertebra at fracture site. The bone cement hardens quickly. The patient is kept for observation for a few hours following the procedure. In rare cases, the patient is kept overnight for observation. Vertebroplasty can prevent further collapse of the vertebra, height loss and spine curvature.
- Patients with persistent back pain(refractory to medical management) caused by vertebral compression fractures are potential candidates for vertebroplasty.
- Cases with multiple pathological vertebral fractures.
- Progrssive kyphosis >20 degre in subacut vertebral fractures.
- Chronic painful vertebral comprssion fractures with non union.
In most patients, vertebroplasty provides immediate improvement in pain related to vertebral compression fractures. Many patients return to their normal activities within only a few days of having the procedure, and few patients continued pain reduction months and years later.
Each vertebral procedure takes about half an hour, so treatment of multiple vertebral fractures takes longer. Patients typically spend two to three hours following the procedure in a comfortable observation area to be sure there are no complications or side effects.
Most patients report significant pain reduction within a few hours of the procedure. Studies report over 90%(2) and higher success rates for significantly relieving pain associated with vertebral compression fractures. Patients are able to return to their normal activities within a few days.) The success rate and potential complications depend upon each patient’s health and other factors. You should discuss these risks and complications with your doctor.
There are no known detrimental long-term effects.
polymethylmethacrylate cements with barium mixed into it , for Adequate opacification in order to perform the procedure safely.
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty is a covered by most of the insurance companies or TPA’s .Rest it depends on terms and conditions of your policy. Our Hospital TPA department will provide you help to process from claim.
- Your procedure area becomes red, warm, and swollen.
- You have drainage from the area your procedure was done.
- You are unable to move one or both of your arms.
- You are unable to move one or both of your legs.
- You are urinating less than usual, or not at all.
- You suddenly cannot think clearly.
- You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
- You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
- Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
Vertebroplasty is procedure for minimal compression, as aim is to reduce pain. Kyphoplasty is a procedure for 70- 90 % loss of height. That involves inserting a small balloon at the point where the vertebra has collapsed. The balloon is inflated to raise the bone and then cement is injected into the space. This procedure hopes to restore some amount of height loss.
Studies have shown that from 75 percent to 90 percent of people treated with vertebroplasty will have complete or significant reduction of their pain.