Vertebroplasty: A Comprehensive Guide to Treating Spinal Fractures from Osteoporosis
- Osteoporosis is a major cause of brittle, fractured, or collapsed bones, particularly in the spine. The condition often results in severe back pain.
- Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive technique that involves injecting bone cement into fractured or collapsed vertebrae to restore bone strength and reduce pain.
- Vertebroplasty can treat vertebral compression fractures, spinal fractures from osteoporosis, and weakened bones due to tumors or metastatic cancer.
- Before undergoing vertebroplasty, patients must receive detailed diagnosis through X-ray, MRI, or CT scan to identify the location and cause of damage.
- Vertebroplasty takes only 30-60 minutes. Most patients recover quickly and can return home within one day.
- When performed by experienced physicians, vertebroplasty is safe and has controllable, low complication rates such as minor wound pain or small cement leakage.
- The injected cement remains in the bone permanently, providing structural support. However, patients should continue managing their osteoporosis.
- At kdms Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, our spinal surgeons and advanced technology ensure accurate, safe treatment with excellent outcomes that meet patient needs.
Osteoporosis is a silent threat that makes bones fragile and prone to fractures, especially in the spine. When a spinal fracture or vertebral compression fracture occurs, patients experience severe back pain that significantly impacts daily life. Currently, there is a modern medical technology called “vertebroplasty“, an effective treatment that reduces pain and strengthens the spine. This article provides comprehensive information about this treatment approach.
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat is Vertebroplasty?
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive radiological and surgical technique that involves injecting a bone substitute material known as bone cement, which resembles acrylic adhesive, into fractured or collapsed vertebrae. Once the cement hardens, it reinforces and stabilizes the affected vertebra, restoring its strength and rapidly reducing pain.
What Conditions Can Vertebroplasty Treat?
Vertebroplasty can treat various conditions that cause weakening or collapse of spinal structure, particularly in elderly patients or those with osteoporosis.
Spinal fractures
Spinal fractures from minor trauma in elderly patients or those with low bone density can cause acute and severe pain. Vertebroplasty helps stabilize the fractured bone structure.
Vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis
Osteoporosis reduces bone density, causing vertebrae to “collapse” under minimal pressure. Vertebroplasty helps support the collapsed bone, reinforce bone strength, and effectively relieve chronic pain.
Other conditions with weakened spinal structure
Besides osteoporosis, vertebroplasty treats patients with:
- Spinal tumors
- Metastatic cancer to bones
- Spinal degeneration from aging or chronic conditions
Diagnosis Before Vertebroplasty
To ensure vertebroplasty is safe and maximally beneficial, physicians must conduct thorough and accurate diagnostic procedures to confirm the patient is truly suitable for this treatment.
The diagnostic process goes beyond confirming a spinal fracture. Physicians must ensure the patient’s pain actually stems from the identified fracture and that it’s a recent fracture that can respond well to this treatment.
Diagnostic steps before vertebroplasty
1. Detailed medical history and physical examination
- Physicians inquire about back pain symptoms, onset timing, and pain characteristics, such as increased pain when standing, walking, or bending
- Then, physicians examine for tender points along the spine and assess body mobility.
- The step also includes neurological examination for symptoms like numbness, muscle weakness, or urinary problems to rule out other non-skeletal conditions
2. Imaging studies
To confirm vertebral compression or fracture and assess the injection site, physicians may order:
- X-ray: Evaluates spinal alignment for any twisted, distorted, or collapsed areas
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Examines damages to bones and surrounding tissues as well as the existence of nerve compression.
- CT scan: Provides detailed bone images to plan injection location and cement volume
3. Bone mineral density testing (BMD)
This is to confirm osteoporosis, which is the primary risk factor of spinal fractures or collapse, using DEXA Scan to assess bone strength levels.
4. Blood tests and overall health assessment
- Blood coagulation testing for treatment safety
- Screening for underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease
- Assessment of adequate physical fitness for the vertebroplasty procedure
For smooth and safe treatment, patients must prepare themselves as follows:
- Giving health information: Inform physicians about existing underlying conditions, regular medications, especially blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, and history of drug or contrast allergies.
- Pausing certain medications: Physicians may instruct patients to stop blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs approximately 5-7 days before the procedure to reduce bleeding risk.
- Fasting: Patients must fast from food and water for at least 6-8 hours before the procedure.
- Physically preparing: Get adequate rest and maintain mental calmness.
Vertebroplasty Procedures
Vertebroplasty is an intervention taking approximately 30-60 minutes with the following steps:
1. Anesthesia administration
Patients receive local anesthesia combined with mild intravenous sedation to remain relaxed and pain-free during the procedure.
2. Patient positioning
Patients lie prone on a specially designed table.
3. Location identification
Physicians use real-time fluoroscopy to precisely locate the fractured vertebra.
4. Needle insertion
After skin cleansing and local anesthetic injection, physicians carefully insert a special needle through the skin to the damaged vertebra.
5. Cement injection
Physicians slowly inject appropriate amounts of cement into the spine under continuous fluoroscopic monitoring to ensure proper cement distribution without leakage to unwanted areas.
6. Needle removal
After completing the injection, physicians remove the needle and cover the small wound with a bandage. No stitches are required.
Post-Vertebroplasty Self-Care
1. Close observation
After the procedure, patients must lie flat for approximately 1-2 hours to allow complete cement hardening while medical staff monitor closely.
2. Recovery
Most patients can return home the same day or after a stay overnight at the hospital.
3. Activity
Patients can gradually resume light activities and return to normal daily life within 24-48 hours but should avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for approximately 2-4 weeks.
4. Medication
If wound pain occurs, inform the attending physician. If medication is prescribed, take pain relievers exactly as directed.
5. Follow-up appointments
After vertebroplasty, patients must attend follow-up appointments for treatment monitoring and regular symptom assessment.
The Perks of Undergoing Vertebroplasty at kdms Hospital
Vertebroplasty at kdms Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, provides patients with experienced spinal surgeons who offer precise consultations. Patients can inquire about treatment processes until their worry is fully relieved. Physicians collaborate with patients to design treatment plans and provide close follow-up care until patients return to their normal quality of life.
In Summary
Vertebroplasty is a highly effective treatment option for patients with spinal fractures or vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis whose severe pain is unresponsive to medication. This minimally invasive, small-incision procedure offers less pain from treatment as well as rapid recovery. Also, vertebroplasty significantly reduces pain, enabling patients to regain better quality of life. However, this treatment should be performed by experienced spinal physicians to ensure maximum safety for patients.
Q & A
Vertebroplasty is not dangerous when performed by experienced spinal physicians. This procedure is highly safe with minimal complications. However, potential risks include temporary wound pain or minor cement leakage outside the bone, which typically causes no harm and remains controllable. When diagnosed and performed by experienced spinal medical teams, most patients feel better and can resume daily life within 1-2 days after the procedure.
The bone cement injected hardens and remains in the spine permanently, reinforcing strength to that specific vertebra. However, this treatment does not prevent other vertebrae from fracturing or collapsing in the future. Therefore, patients must continue treating the underlying osteoporosis condition concurrently.
An article by Wuttichai Sutantavibul ,MD, Experienced Spine Surgeon
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