Vertebroplasty
Neurosurgeons offer two nonsurgical procedures, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, to treat painful fractures of your vertebrae. In both techniques, the surgeon inserts a needle through the skin and into the vertebrae, using an X-ray machine as a guide. For vertebroplasty, the surgeon injects an acrylic medical-grade liquid cement into the collapsed bone. First, the neurosurgeon re-expands the collapsed bone and then injects the cement. The cement hardens quickly, permanently stabilizing the fracture, alleviating pressure and preventing further collapse.
Both procedures are safe, relatively rapid (one to three hours), and provide immediate or near-immediate pain relief for many patients. These procedures are done on an outpatient basis and regular activity can be resumed the next day.
Treats these conditions:
This page last updated 11/18/08 06:11 PM
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