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Vertebroplasty Osteoporosis affects more than 30 million Americans. Compression fractures occur in more than 500,000 patients per year in the US, are more frequent than hip fractures, and often result in prolonged disability. Risk factors include advanced age, Caucasian or Asian race, low weight, diseases such as kidney failure, and medication use such as prednisone. Current preventative measures include calcium and vitamin D supplementation, exercise, smoking cessation, and medications such as biphosphonates. Management includes pain control with acetaminophen (Tylenol), non-steroidals (Motrin), narcotics (Percocet), and bracing. Unfortunately, the compression fractures often progress and develop at other levels resulting in loss of height, disability, and secondary complications from immobilization including pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. Percutaneous vertebroplasty has recently been introduced into the US as an effective therapeutic and preventative treatment for the pain and progressive loss of height in compression fractures. Vertebroplasty is minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure used to treat the pain associated with vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. Individual vertebra weakened by disease can collapse suddenly under the force of normal, daily activity; the resulting pain can be debilitating, causing limited mobility and other significant reductions in quality of life. Vertebral compression fractures used to be treated only with pain medications, bed rest and external bracing. However, these conservative measures are now considered the first line of treatment. If severe pain persists, patients can be referred to a specially-trained Radiologist for evaluation for vertebroplasty. During vertebroplasty, the collapsed vertebra is stabilized with specially formulated acrylic bone cement; in addition to providing pain relief, vertebroplasty can prevent further collapse of the vertebra, height loss and spine curvature. For most patients, vertebroplasty provides immediate and lasting relief of the pain related to vertebral compression fractures. Many patients return to their normal activities within only a few days of having the procedure, and most report continued relief from pain months and years later.
If you or someone you know is suffering from pain associated with a vertebral compression fracture, contact your primary care physician for referral to an Interventional Radiologist at Associated Radiologists. Procedures are performed when indicated following consultation with one of our Interventional Radiologists. An office visit with our Specialists can be arranged by calling :
732-968-5161
Links on the web pertaining to Vertebroplasty: (Click the logo to open a new window)
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The information provided within this website is not intended as medical advice. It should never be substituted for a consultation with a healthcare professional. Please contact your physician with questions or concerns about your health condition.
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