What Is Vertebroplasty?
The procedure of injecting polymethylacrylate (bone cement) into the vertebral body in cases where the vertebrae have reduced bone density and therefore carry a risk of fracture under load, or are already fractured, or in cases where there is loss of height in the vertebral body due to cancer metastases is called vertebroplasty. Vertebroplasty is a procedure aimed at strengthening the bone inside the spine.
How Is Vertebroplasty Performed?
A sedative medication is administered to the patient before the procedure. The patient is placed face down on the operating table. Depending on the location of the spinal fracture, the area on the back or lower back where the intervention will be performed is sterilely cleaned and draped. The area where the intervention will be performed is visualized under fluoroscopy (a device that provides imaging using X-rays). After the entry point is determined, a local anesthetic is applied to the entry point. A small incision is made at this point and the vertebroplasty needle is advanced until it comes into contact with the bone, and by rotating the needle, it is inserted into the spinal cortex. After the needle is placed, bone cement is then administered under fluoroscopic guidance
Who Can Undergo Vertebroplasty?
- Compression fractures due to osteoporosis
- Spinal fractures due to cancer metastasis
- Spinal angioma
- Multiple myeloma
- In traumatic spinal fractures
What Happens After Vertebroplasty?
It takes approximately one hour for the bone cement to harden inside the vertebra. During this time, the patient should not be moved. After two hours, the patient can be turned onto their back. One week of rest is appropriate for the patient after the procedure.
What Is Kyphoplasty?
Although the procedure is similar to vertebroplasty, the goal is to first place a balloon inside the target vertebra, inflate this balloon, and then, after deflating it, inject a thicker medical cement into the cavity created.
