Vertebroplasty
What Is Vertebroplasty?
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) — small collapses within the vertebral body often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or cancer. Medical-grade bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA) is injected directly into the fractured vertebra to stabilize it and relieve pain. The procedure can restore function and dramatically reduce pain in patients who have not responded to rest and medication.
How It Works
•Using real-time fluoroscopic or CT guidance, a hollow needle is carefully advanced through the back and into the fractured vertebra.
•Bone cement is then injected under controlled pressure, filling the fracture void and hardening within minutes.
•The hardened cement stabilizes the fracture, reducing painful micro-motion and restoring structural integrity to the vertebra.
What to Expect During the Procedure
•Preparation: The treatment area is numbed with local anesthetic; light or moderate sedation is typically offered.
•Duration: The procedure usually takes 30–60 minutes, depending on the number of vertebrae treated.
•Positioning: Patients lie face-down on a padded table.
•Guidance: Continuous fluoroscopy is used throughout to monitor cement flow and needle position.
•Same-day recovery: Patients are monitored for 1–2 hours and most go home the same day.
Conditions Treated
•Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
•Traumatic vertebral fractures (non-surgical candidates)
•Vertebral fractures related to cancer or spinal tumors
•Painful vertebral hemangiomas
•Osteolytic metastatic disease of the spine
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Patients with acute or subacute vertebral compression fractures who have significant pain limiting daily activity — and who have not improved after 4–6 weeks of conservative treatment — are typically good candidates. Your Echo PMR physician will obtain MRI imaging to confirm fracture activity before recommending the procedure.
Recovery & Results
Many patients notice a meaningful reduction in pain within 24–48 hours after vertebroplasty. Most return to light daily activities within a day or two. While vertebroplasty does not restore lost vertebral height, it effectively stabilizes the fracture and reduces pain, with most patients experiencing lasting relief. Follow-up imaging may be recommended to monitor adjacent vertebral levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is vertebroplasty different from kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty uses a balloon to create a cavity before cement injection, which can restore some vertebral height. Vertebroplasty directly injects cement without the balloon step. Your physician will determine which is more appropriate for your fracture.
Is the cement permanent?
Yes, the bone cement remains in place permanently. It is biocompatible and very well tolerated by the body over time.
Will I need physical therapy afterward?
Light physical therapy or a supervised exercise program is often recommended after healing to strengthen the surrounding muscles and reduce the risk of future fractures.