Vertebroplasty Surgery

Vertebroplasty surgery is a latest technique to treat the breakage in the spinal bone, which weakens due to loss of body mass. This procedure includes the insertion of cement through injecting it into these bones. It can be caused because of bone disease, such as osteoporosis which decreases the strength of the bone. Such fracture is most common in those individuals who are above 50 years. It is estimated that 200 million females are dealing with bone disease and 9.2% of people have to opt for vertebroplasty.

Procedure of Vertebroplasty Surgery

Your doctor will perform this operation after following some protocols and these are as follows:

Diagnose

It is the first step which will help your surgeon to perform this surgery more effectively. It is done in the following ways:

• Medical history
• Spine X-ray
• CT-Scan
• Bone density scan
• CAT Scan
• Blood tests
• MRI
• Physical examination

All these tests help to determine the exact location and severity of the spinal bone.

Treatment Procedure

When the spinal bone gets fractured then it causes pain. It is due to these fragments get rubbed against each other. Then the surgery is required which is performed by a trained radiologist.

Before the Procedure

• Running some tests will help your doctor to know the exact location. Then after telling your medical history or if any medicines you are taking. You will be asked to stop blood thinning medications and fasting for a few hours before the procedure.

During the Procedure

The whole process takes one hour. It includes step by step process which are mentioned below:

• You have to lie down on the examination table after wearing a sterile gown which will be provided by the hospital.
• Now the doctor will help you to feel more relaxed and calm by giving a sedative near the fracture. This will numb the skin of the back.
• Now, continuous scanning will be done while inserting the needle to be positioned into the broken spinal bone.
• Now the cement is injected slowly into the fractured bone. If it is required then your doctor may use another injection to fill the gap. Injected cement takes approx. 20 minutes to harden.
• In case if fracture is caused because of cancer, then this tissue is taken for testing. Then this sample is sent to the lab.

After the Procedure

• Once it is completed then the surgeon will remove the needle. With the help of scanning, the doctor will check whether the cement is distributed evenly or not. You will be suggested to avoid driving, strenuous exercise, etc, for a certain period of time.
• After monitoring your body vitals, like blood pressure and heart rate, the doctor will let you go home. You will be advised to take pain relieving medicines. Needle insertion site will sore for a few days then you can use the ice pack by putting it on for 15 minutes.

Risks of Vertebroplasty Surgery

It is a less invasive technique, however, its risk may associate with the procedure which includes:

• Infection
• Risk of additional fractures to the nearby spinal bones
• Leakage of the cement 
• Nerve injuries
• Bleeding
• Numbness or tingling
• Reoccurring pain
• Allergic reaction to the medicines