A vertebroplasty is an outpatient procedure that is used to treat compression fractures. It is a highly effective procedure that could be an option for you in treating your back pain. If you are considering or have been scheduled for a vertebroplasty, you might be wondering what to expect. Luckily, it's a simple procedure that's easy to understand.
Compression fractures are small breaks in the vetebrae. They can be caused by osteoporosis, cancer, or other diseases. They can also be caused when the spine is simply too weak to support the weight of the body. Common symptoms of these fractures are pain (mild to severe) that may be worse with walking, shortened height, kyphosis (a rounded upper back), numbness, tingling, and weakness. However, compression fractures may not always present with symptoms, and they may sometimes be very mild.
A vertebroplasty is an outpatient procedure to help treat compression fractures. It is done by first making small incisions in the back. One or two needles are then inserted into these incisions and into the fractured vertebra. Then, special cement for bones is injected into the vertebra. The cement flows into the cracks and hardens in minutes. The needles are removed and incisions are closed. During this, the patient is given anesthesia to make him or her tired. Sometimes the patient will fall asleep completely. Either way, the patient is relaxed and generally unaware of what is happening around them. So there's no need to be overly concerned about what happens during the procedure - chances are you won't remember it.
With any procedure there are risks; the good news is that the risks involved with vertebroplasty are very low. It is considered a safe procedure. Potential complications include nerve damage, cement leakage, heart and lung problems, new or unrelieved back pain, and infection.
Our vertebroplasties are all outpatient procedures. You will go home that day and generally feel relief right away. However, don't rush back into your old routine. Ease into it with small steps - gentle walking is a good start. Generally the procedure is well tolerated.
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