What is Vertebroplasty? Purpose, Procedure & Results

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure where doctors inject medical cement into a fractured or weakened vertebra in your spine. This outpatient treatment helps stabilize the bone and can significantly reduce back pain caused by compression fractures. The procedure typically takes about an hour and offers relief when conservative treatments haven't worked.

What is vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is a specialized spine procedure that strengthens damaged vertebrae using bone cement. Your doctor uses imaging guidance to carefully inject a special cement mixture directly into the fractured bone through a small needle.

The cement hardens quickly inside your vertebra, creating internal support that stabilizes the bone structure. This process is similar to filling a crack in concrete to make it solid again. The procedure was first developed in the 1980s and has helped thousands of people regain mobility and reduce pain.

Most patients experience immediate pain relief, though some may notice gradual improvement over several days. The cement becomes a permanent part of your spine, providing long-term structural support to prevent further collapse of the treated vertebra.

Why is vertebroplasty done?

Vertebroplasty is primarily performed to treat painful compression fractures in your spine that haven't healed properly with conservative treatment. These fractures most commonly occur in people with osteoporosis, where bones become weak and prone to breaking.

Your doctor might recommend this procedure when you've been experiencing severe back pain for several weeks or months without improvement. The pain often worsens when you stand, walk, or move, and may limit your daily activities significantly.

Beyond osteoporotic fractures, vertebroplasty can also help with fractures caused by cancer that has spread to the spine or benign tumors that weaken bone structure. In some cases, doctors use it to strengthen vertebrae before they fracture in patients with very weak bones.

The procedure becomes an option when bed rest, pain medications, and bracing haven't provided adequate relief after 6-8 weeks. Your healthcare team will carefully evaluate whether vertebroplasty is right for your specific situation.

What is the procedure for vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure in a hospital or specialized clinic. You'll receive conscious sedation and local anesthesia to keep you comfortable, though you'll remain awake during the treatment.

Your doctor will position you face-down on the procedure table and use continuous X-ray imaging to guide the entire process. They'll clean and sterilize the skin over your back, then inject numbing medicine at the treatment site.

Here's what happens during the main procedure:

1. A thin needle is carefully inserted through your skin and muscle into the fractured vertebra
2. Your doctor uses real-time X-ray imaging to ensure precise needle placement
3. Medical cement is slowly injected through the needle into the bone
4. The cement fills the spaces within the fractured vertebra
5. The needle is removed once the cement begins to harden

The entire procedure usually takes 45 minutes to an hour per vertebra. If you have multiple fractures, your doctor may treat several vertebrae during the same session, which would extend the procedure time accordingly.

How to prepare for your vertebroplasty?

Preparation for vertebroplasty begins several days before your procedure with important medication and lifestyle adjustments. Your doctor will provide specific instructions tailored to your health conditions and current medications.

You'll need to stop taking blood-thinning medications like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel several days before the procedure. Your healthcare team will tell you exactly when to stop each medication and whether you need temporary alternatives.

Here are the key preparation steps you'll need to follow:

• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure
• Don't eat or drink anything for 8 hours before your appointment
• Take your regular medications with small sips of water unless instructed otherwise
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that are easy to change
• Remove jewelry, contact lenses, and dentures before the procedure
• Inform your team about any allergies, especially to contrast dye or medications

Your medical team will also review your recent imaging studies and may order updated X-rays or MRI scans. This helps them plan the exact approach and confirm that vertebroplasty is still the best treatment option for your condition.

How to read your vertebroplasty results?

Success after vertebroplasty is primarily measured by your pain relief and improved ability to perform daily activities. Most patients notice significant pain reduction within 24-48 hours, though some experience immediate relief right after the procedure.

Your doctor will use imaging studies to confirm that the cement has properly filled the fractured vertebra and stabilized the bone. Follow-up X-rays typically show the cement as a bright white area within the treated vertebra, indicating successful placement.

Pain levels are often assessed using a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means no pain and 10 represents severe pain. Many patients report their pain dropping from 7-8 before the procedure to 2-3 afterward. Complete pain elimination isn't always realistic, but significant improvement is common.

Your healthcare team will also evaluate your mobility and functional improvements during follow-up visits. Being able to walk longer distances, sleep better, and perform household tasks more easily are all positive indicators of successful treatment.

How to optimize your vertebroplasty recovery?

Recovery optimization after vertebroplasty focuses on allowing the cement to fully harden while gradually returning to normal activities. The first 24 hours are crucial for proper healing and cement stabilization.

You'll need to lie flat on your back for 1-2 hours immediately after the procedure to prevent cement leakage. During this time, the medical cement continues to harden and bond with your bone tissue.

Here's your recovery timeline and important guidelines:

• First 24 hours: Avoid heavy lifting and limit bending or twisting movements
• Days 2-7: Gradually increase walking and light daily activities
• Week 2-4: Resume most normal activities but avoid high-impact exercises
• Month 1-3: Slowly return to more demanding physical activities as tolerated
• Ongoing: Follow your doctor's recommendations for osteoporosis treatment

Pain management during recovery typically involves over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your doctor will provide specific guidance about when to resume any blood-thinning medications you were taking before the procedure.

What are the risk factors for needing vertebroplasty?

Several factors increase your likelihood of developing compression fractures that might require vertebroplasty. Understanding these risk factors can help you take preventive measures and discuss concerns with your healthcare provider.

Osteoporosis is by far the most significant risk factor, particularly affecting postmenopausal women and older adults. This condition causes bones to become porous and weak, making even minor falls or movements potentially fracture-causing.

Here are the primary risk factors that increase fracture likelihood:

• Advanced age, especially over 65 years old
• Female gender due to hormonal changes after menopause
• Long-term use of corticosteroid medications
• Family history of osteoporosis or fractures
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Sedentary lifestyle with limited weight-bearing exercise
• Poor nutrition, especially inadequate calcium and vitamin D

Certain medical conditions also increase fracture risk, including rheumatoid arthritis, hyperparathyroidism, and gastrointestinal disorders that affect nutrient absorption. Cancer that spreads to bones represents another significant risk factor for vertebral fractures.

What are the possible complications of vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is generally considered a safe procedure, but like any medical intervention, it carries some potential risks and complications. Most complications are rare and manageable when they do occur.

The most common minor complications include temporary increased back pain, muscle soreness, and small amounts of cement leakage that don't cause symptoms. These issues typically resolve within a few days to weeks without additional treatment.

Here are the potential complications, organized from most common to rare:

• Temporary pain increase lasting 24-48 hours
• Minor bleeding or bruising at the needle insertion site
• Small cement leaks that don't cause symptoms
• Infection at the procedure site (very rare)
• Nerve damage from cement leakage (extremely rare)
• New fractures in adjacent vertebrae (uncommon)
• Allergic reactions to contrast dye or medications (rare)

Serious complications like spinal cord compression or paralysis are extraordinarily rare when the procedure is performed by experienced specialists. Your medical team monitors you carefully during and after the procedure to quickly address any concerns that might arise.

When should I see a doctor after vertebroplasty?

Most patients experience smooth recovery after vertebroplasty, but it's important to know when to contact your healthcare provider. Certain symptoms require immediate medical attention, while others warrant a routine follow-up call.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience sudden severe back pain, new leg weakness, numbness, or difficulty controlling your bladder or bowel function. These symptoms could indicate rare but serious complications that need urgent evaluation.

Here are situations that require prompt medical contact:

• Fever above 101°F (38.3°C) which might indicate infection
• Severe pain that's worse than before the procedure
• New numbness or tingling in your legs or feet
• Significant swelling or redness at the injection site
• Difficulty walking or new balance problems
• Persistent nausea or vomiting

For less urgent concerns like mild pain increase, minor bruising, or general questions about your recovery, you can contact your doctor's office during regular business hours. Most healthcare providers prefer that you call rather than worry about normal recovery symptoms.