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VERTEBROPLASTY

OVERVIEW

Vertebroplasty is a surgical method to inject cement into a cracked bone to help relieve pain. Spinal bones are called vertebrae. The plastic cement supports the vertebrae by creating an internal cast that prevents fracture. Vertebroplasty is used to treat a type of injury called compression fracture that is usually caused by osteoporosis. It is a condition that weakens bones and is common in older people. Generally, compression fractures don’t cause any symptoms and don’t need any cure, but if you have constant or severe pain, you should go for Vertebroplasty. PMMA is a plastic material used by surgeons as cement has been used safely for many years. Generally, 1-2 cubic centimeters of PMMA are used for one vertebral body.

Procedure:

The process of Vertebroplasty is performed under general anesthesia. The needle will be placed through the edge of the vertebrae from back to front, which allows injection of the PMMA. This surgery is performed under fluoroscopic control, and it will help the path of the needle to get into the vertebral body and can be seen all the time. A fluoroscopy is an X-ray machine that shows body images directly on the screen.

An injection of contrast medium may be given before the PMMA is injected. It ensures that PMMA will not leak into the spinal canal. The cement will probably harden in 20 minutes.

Time of surgery:

Vertebroplasty is minimally invasive because it is done through a small incision instead of an open surgery. A Vertebroplasty procedure usually takes one hour to complete.

Type of anesthesia:

Vertebroplasty is a first-line therapy to control the pain of vertebral lesions. For almost all major surgical procedures, general anesthesia is given to patients for better tolerance and surgical exposure under muscle relaxants.

Risks:

Vertebroplasty includes injecting a sort of bone cement into a broken spinal bone. It is a similar treatment to kyphoplasty, in which a balloon is inserted into a spinal bone. The balloon is inserted to create more space inside the bone. Before injecting cement, the balloon is removed. Following complications you may face after this surgery:

Cement leakage:

After your surgery, you can expect a part of cement to leak from your spinal bone. Small pieces of this leaked cement can enter the bloodstream and proceed to the lungs, heart, and kidneys. It can cause serious damage to organs.

Paralysis:

Vertebroplasty is done near the spinal cord and other nerves, so an error in the needle’s placement can cause weakness and paralysis of one or more limbs.


Failure to reduce pain: sometimes, Vertebroplasty does not improve symptoms, even if there are no errors and complications in recovery.

Recovery:

After getting your Vertebroplasty done, you will be discharged within 24 hours, and most patients feel relief within 24 to 48 hours. It would be best if you consult with a therapist. Avoid heavy lifting and bending for up to 6 weeks until your surgery completely recovers. As it is a minimally invasive surgery, you can recover if you avoid such things that can cause damage.

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