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Percutaneous Vertebroplasty - Compression Fracture Relief
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a newer technique for treating spinal compression fractures in which medical-grade cement is injected into a fractured vertebral body. This stabilizes the fracture, enabling most patients to discontinue or significantly decrease pain relievers and resume normal activity.Despite recent advances in medical therapy for osteoporosis, compression fractures remain a common problem.
Traditional treatment of painful compression fractures includes bed rest, oral or parenteral analgesics, muscle relaxants, external back-bracing, and physical therapy.
The majority of patients respond favorably to traditional treatment; however, some patients fail conservative therapy and suffer prolonged pain and immobility, which, if left untreated, can persist for life.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is effective for treating certain types of vertebral fractures and some painful or unstable benign and malignant vertebral lesions that fail to respond to the traditional conservative therapies.
Most experts believe that pain relief is achieved through mechanical support and stability provided by the bone cement. The semi-solid mixture used in orthopedic procedures has been shown to restore strength and stiffness in vertebral bodies.
The vertebroplasty procedure itself can be done quickly, is cost-effective, and has a short recovery time. The success rate in treating osteoporotic fractures is 73 to 90 percent and significant complications are seen in less than one percent of procedures performed.
With the assistance of fluoroscopic or "xray" imaging, the physician literally watches on a computer monitor as the needle is guided to the site of the fracture. Using this technique, the physician is able to deliver the healing cement to the exact location of the fracture to ensure maximum support and pain relief are realized.
After the vertebroplasty procedure, patients generally lie flat for an hour to allow the cement to harden. Observation usually continues for up to two hours, at which point most patients are able to stand and walk with minimal or no pain. Pain relief is normally immediate but may take up to 72 hours after the procedure.
We Can Help
The physicians at the Pain Management Center are board-certified pain management practitioners fluent in diagnosing the need for and performing percutaneous vertebroplasty.
If you or a loved one is experiencing the ill effects of a spinal compression fracture, contact the Pain Management Center at 847.885.9525 to arrange a consultation.
3100 W. Higgins Rd., Ste. 150
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431 Summit Street, Suite 102
Elgin, IL 60120
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Foot & Ankle Care
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