Definition

The vertebrae are a series of bones that make up the spine. When one of them fractures, the compression can put pressure on surrounding nerves, causing intense pain and disability. Acute fractures will also be painful. The compression fractures may be repaired with these procedures:

• Vertebroplasty—An acrylic cement is injected into a fractured and collapsed vertebra (spinal bone). The cement strengthens the bone and decreases pain from the fracture.
• Kyphoplasty—A balloon is used to create a cavity to inject the cement into. This procedure is designed to relieve pain. It can also improve spinal deformities from the fractures.

Reasons for Procedure

Both procedures are used to decrease pain from osteoporosis or vertebral compression fractures.

Kyphoplasty also restores the height of the bone. This can decrease nerve compression and the spinal deformity caused by the fracture.

Other treatment for vertebral fracture may include nonsurgical treatments such as bracing or use of pain medications.

Vertebral Fracture Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

• Leakage of the cement into the spinal canal or into adjacent veins
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Increased back pain
• Fracture of adjacent vertebra or ribs
• Numbness, tingling
• Paralysis

Your doctor may feel that the risks of these procedures are too great if you have:

• Old stable fractures
• Vertebral fractures that are severe or that extend into the spinal canal area
• Radiculopathy —irritation of a nerve root in the area of the fracture that often causes areas of numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg
• Bleeding disorders
• Unusually soft or porous bones
• Local infection

If you have vertebral fracture due to osteoporosis, vertebroplasty may not be as effective. The procedure is not used in young people with an acute fracture and healthy bones.

Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:

• Smoking
• Drinking
• Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if any of these occur:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site or the needle insertion site
• Severe back or rib pain
• Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
• New numbness, tingling, or weakness

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.