Vertebroplasty Overview

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to stabilize fractured vertebrae and relieve spine-related pain—most commonly after a compression fracture due to osteoporosis or bone-weakening conditions. By 2025, the procedure is well-established, particularly for older adults with painful vertebral fractures that have not responded to medication or conservative care.

What Is Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty involves the careful injection of a medical-grade bone cement into a cracked or broken spinal vertebra. The injected cement stabilizes the fracture, fusing fragmented bone and reducing pain by preventing movement at the fracture site. It is most commonly performed for:

• Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

• Spinal fractures from bone metastases or tumors

• Severe, immobilizing pain that doesn’t improve with rest or medication

Key points:

• The procedure typically takes 30–60 minutes.

• Patients are usually sedated (not fully anesthetized) and lie face down.

• Surgeons use live X-ray or CT guidance to ensure precise placement.

• Cement hardens in minutes—most patients can stand and even walk shortly after.

Benefits of Vertebroplasty

• Immediate pain relief: Many experience dramatic reduction in back pain within hours or days.

• Stabilized vertebra: Prevents further collapse and deformation.

• Restored mobility: Enables a return to normal daily activities, improving quality of life.

• Potential correction of posture: Restores vertebral height and reduces spinal curvature caused by compression.

• Prevention of further fractures: By stabilizing weakened bone, risk of additional collapse may be reduced.

Risks and Potential Complications

While vertebroplasty is generally safe, like all surgeries, certain risks are present:

• Cement leakage: Bone cement can escape into surrounding tissues or veins, rarely causing nerve damage, pulmonary embolism, or organ issues.

• Infection or bleeding: Low but present risk at the needle site.

• Adjacent fractures: Treated vertebrae can increase stress on neighboring bones, leading to new fractures.

• Nerve injury or paralysis: Extremely rare, but a risk due to spine proximity.

• Allergic reaction or non-improvement: Very rarely, pain may not be relieved, or other medical complications may arise.

Careful patient selection and performance by experienced specialists minimize risks.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

• Adults with recent or subacute vertebral compression fracture causing significant, localized back pain

• Failed at least 4–6 weeks of conservative treatment (rest, medication, bracing)

• Fracture confirmed by imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI)

• No active infection, uncontrolled bleeding disorders, or allergy to bone cement

Procedure & Recovery Timeline

Before surgery:

• Fasting for several hours; stop certain medications (especially blood thinners) as instructed.

• Wear comfortable clothes; arrange for someone to drive you home.

During surgery:

• Needle inserted, cement injected under fluoroscopic guidance.

• Usually outpatient—most go home the same day.

After surgery:

• Minor soreness at the injection site, eased by cold packs and rest.

• Avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks.

• Most patients resume light daily activity within 24–48 hours; full recovery is quick compared to open surgery.

Effectiveness: What Results to Expect

• Most patients see pain relief within hours to days, with improvements lasting at least a year.

• Studies show mixed results: some report similar relief from placebo procedures, but the majority benefit significantly—especially when pain is severe and clearly linked to a recent fracture.

• Long-term bone health must be addressed to prevent new fractures.