Before development of this technique, the only treatment for these patients was wearing a brace, taking analgesics and bed rest. This ongoing treatment was often as life altering as the condition itself. Now, we are able to offer patients a minimally-invasive treatment that can provide significant pain relief and give them back their mobility. When the area is located and confirmed, the bone cement is injected into the vertebrae under X-ray guidance using a hollow needle. The bone cement hardens within 15 minutes and the patient remains on bed rest anywhere from two to several hours.
Vertebral fractures are most often the result of osteoporosis.
Vertebroplasty, when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes management of the underlying cause and rehabilitation, can bring great pain relief at modest cost and modest risk. Vertebroplasty was originally introduced in France during the 1980 s. We have found that relieving patients of their pain and enabling them to get out of bed and on with their lives is not only healthier physically and mentally, but makes good economic sense. Mayo Clinic and the University of Virginia are two of a few centers nationwide that offer vertebroplasty as part of a comprehensive management program for vertebral compression fractures. An additional 18 million people have low bone mass which places them at increased risk for osteoporosis.