All You Need to Know About Vertebroplasty

The truth is that we all desire to have fit and healthy bodies. Consequently, we constantly work out and adopt various diet plans to help us achieve this. However, although all this helps enhance our immune system and keep our bodies safe, we tend to develop various health complications from time to time.

Some of the most common health disorders are broken bones and spinal fractures. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vertebral fractures are mainly prevalent in adults aged forty and above.

That said, if you or a loved one are experiencing any spinal fractures, there is no cause for alarm since there are numerous treatment options available for you. Of these, vertebroplasty may be the best solution for you. 

What is vertebroplasty, and what does it entail? Read on to find out everything you need to know about this medical procedure.

What Is Vertebroplasty?

Put simply, vertebroplasty is a medical procedure that is carried out to stabilize compressed fractures in the spine. When a vertebral body fractures, the usual rectangular shape of the bone around the spine becomes compressed, resulting in immense pain. This compression usually further leads to the collapse of vertebrae in the spine, resulting in osteoporosis.

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), more than 44 million people in the United States have osteoporosis. This is a medical condition that causes the bones to be fragile and brittle. It usually develops when your bone density decreases, making the body reabsorb more bone tissue and produce less to replace it.

Some of the common symptoms of this condition include:

• A stooped posture.
• Immense back pain, usually caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra.
• Loss of height.
• Neck pain.
• Fractured bones.

What happens during the procedure?

Before the procedure, your doctor will first carry out numerous physical tests such as spine x-rays to determine the exact location and nature of your spinal fracture. Similarly, it is fundamental that your medical practitioner reviews your complete medical history to ensure that you’re a suitable candidate.

If you have a history of bleeding disorders or are taking anti-coagulant medications that affect blood clotting, then ensure that you share this information with your doctor. Once you receive the go-ahead, the procedure will take place in three easy steps:

• Step One: The doctor will administer anesthesia to protect you from any severe pain you may experience. Similarly, you’ll be injected with a sedative to help you relax and remain calm during the procedure.
• Step Two: The medical practitioner will use a continuous x-ray to guide the needle to the damaged vertebra- while carefully protecting the rest of your body from radiation.
• Step Three: Once this is done, your doctor slowly injects bone cement into the vertebra. When the cement hardens, it stabilizes the bone fractures and thus supports the spine.

Once the procedure is completed, you may remain under observation for up to two hours to give your doctor a chance to monitor your progress. That said, you may experience immediate pain relief, but the damaged area will fully heal after around seventy-two hours. 

If you experience any pain or discomfort during recovery, your doctor can always prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers.

How do I know if vertebroplasty is right for me?

Suppose you have been experiencing immense back pain caused by a broken bone in your back that doesn’t seem to get better after weeks of bed rest and taking pain-relieving medication. In that case, vertebroplasty may be the perfect solution for you.

Benefits of Vertebroplasty

The best part about this procedure is that it comes with several benefits.

• It improves a patient’s functional abilities. Patients who are immobile regain their mobility and are capable of moving around.
• Vertebroplasty alleviates pain. After the procedure, any back or neck pain you were experiencing is alleviated.
• It is a simple process. Unlike other treatment options, this medical procedure is straightforward and uncomplicated since it doesn’t require any surgical incision or stitches after the procedure. 
• Vertebroplasty is a safe and effective procedure.

Contact SEPSC Today!

At Southeast Pain and Spine Care, we offer a myriad of pain treatment options to our patients. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact us today for more information on Vertebroplasty and other pain treatment solutions.