Benefits

Because the pain of a compression fracture is alleviated by Vertebroplasty, patients feel significant relief almost immediately. After just a few weeks, two-thirds of patients are able to lower their doses of pain medication significantly. Many patients become symptom-free. About 75 percent of patients regain lost mobility and become more active, which helps combat osteoporosis. After Vertebroplasty, patients who had been immobile can get out of bed, reducing their risk of pneumonia. Increased activity builds more muscle strength, further encouraging mobility.

 Risks

Usually, Vertebroplasty is a safe and effective procedure. A small amount of orthopedic cement can leak out of the vertebral body. This does not usually cause a serious problem, unless the leakage moves into a potentially dangerous location such as the spinal canal. Other possible complications include infection, bleeding, increased back pain and neurological symptoms such as numbness or tingling. Paralysis is extremely rare. Sometimes the procedure causes another fracture in the spine or ribs.

 What are the limitations of Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is not used for herniated disks or arthritic back pain. Vertebroplasty is not generally recommended for otherwise healthy younger patients, mostly because there is limited experience with cement in a vertebral body for longer time periods. The procedure cannot serve as a preventive treatment to help patients with osteoporosis avoid future fractures. It is used only to repair a known, non-healing compression fracture. Vertebroplasty will not correct an osteoporosis-induced curvature of the spine, but it may keep the curvature from worsening. It may be difficult for someone with severe emphysema or other lung disease to lie facedown for the one to two hours Vertebroplasty requires. The healthcare team will try to make special accommodations for a patient with this type of condition. Patients with a healed vertebral fracture are not candidates for Vertebroplasty.

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