How Vertebroplasty Helps Treat Spinal Fractures and Restores Mobility

Spinal compression fractures—often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or cancer—can lead to sudden and severe back pain, limited mobility, and a reduced quality of life. For patients suffering from these painful fractures, vertebroplasty offers a minimally invasive option that can relieve pain and help restore mobility quickly.

What Is Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to stabilize spinal compression fractures by injecting medical-grade bone cement directly into the fractured vertebra. Once injected, the cement quickly hardens, stabilizing the bone and providing immediate structural support.

This procedure is most often used to treat vertebral compression fractures in the thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (lower back) regions.

Who Can Benefit from Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is especially effective for patients with:

• Osteoporotic compression fractures
• Vertebral fractures due to cancer (such as multiple myeloma or metastases)
• Traumatic compression fractures not healing with conservative care
• Chronic pain from fractures that limits daily activities

Patients who are not candidates for open surgery, or who need rapid pain relief to avoid further decline in mobility, may particularly benefit from this approach.

Key Benefits of Vertebroplasty

• Rapid Pain Relief: Many patients experience significant pain reduction within hours to days after the procedure.
• Improved Mobility: By stabilizing the fracture, vertebroplasty can allow patients to move more freely and return to daily activities sooner.
• Minimally Invasive Technique: The procedure is performed through a small skin puncture, requiring no large incisions or prolonged hospital stays.
• Prevention of Further Collapse: Stabilizing the fractured vertebra helps prevent it from collapsing further, which could lead to spinal deformity or nerve compression.

What to Expect During the Procedure

• Outpatient or Same-Day Setting: Vertebroplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and sedation, though general anesthesia may be used in some cases.
• Procedure Steps:
  • A small needle is guided into the fractured vertebra using real-time X-ray imaging.
  • Special bone cement is injected into the fracture site.
  • The cement hardens within minutes, stabilizing the bone.

Recovery

Patients typically return home the same day. Most resume normal activity levels within a few days, with some needing a short period of rest or physical therapy.

Risks and Considerations

While vertebroplasty is generally safe and well-tolerated, like all procedures, it carries some risks. These may include:

• Cement leakage into surrounding areas (rare)
• Infection or bleeding
• Nerve irritation or injury (uncommon)
• Allergic reaction to materials

At IGEA, our team carefully screens each patient to ensure vertebroplasty is appropriate, and we use advanced imaging and precision techniques to minimize risks.

Restoring Strength and Confidence After a Spinal Fracture

Spinal fractures can take a toll on both physical function and emotional well-being. At IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics, our goal is to help patients regain strength, reduce pain, and restore independence as quickly and safely as possible.

If you or a loved one is struggling with pain from a spinal compression fracture, vertebroplasty may be a solution worth exploring.