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Vertebroplasty Treatment
Relevant information about Vertebroplasty Treatment.
Vertebroplasty is a non surgical procedure that is used to treat fractures in the spinal column vertebrae, usually caused by Osteoporosis. It consists on injecting an orthopedic cement mixture into the damaged vertebra or vertebrae. It is considered a non surgical procedure because the wounds caused do not require sutures. This treatment is done specially in cases in which the individuals cannot be relieved from pain with the traditional methods or are too old to tolerate a spinal surgery.
Spinal column vertebrae can be fractured by trauma but also by Osteoporosis or certain types of Cancer. In all cases, the vertebrae are compressed and distorted. These changes on the normal shape of the bones cause pain and sometimes stability loss. Trauma is not a disease, but a problem which consists on an injury caused by an external agent. When bones are injured they may break or have their natural form altered, leading to other complications due to these changes inside the body. Broken vertebrae can damage the spinal column nerves. Osteoporosis is considered the main cause of fractured vertebrae. This is a disease in which the bones lose their normal mass, strength and density, thus becoming full of small holes or pores. These pores weaken the bones, making them vulnerable and breakable. Osteoporosis is a common disease to women after menopause, but can also be present in men or young women with hormonal disorders or Hyperparathyroidism. An additional cause of this problem can be certain medications like glucocorticoids. All types of Bone Cancer can damage the vertebrae of the spinal column. Cancer develops when the cells that compose the body start growing and dividing themselves without control. If the cells where this abnormal process begins are located in the bones, it is called Bone Cancer. During the disease, the malignant cells that reproduced and divided themselves may from a tumor, putting pressure on the bones and causing them to fracture. Bone Cancer is common to children and adolescents. Adults with this type of cancer may have acquired it as a result of metastatic spread of other cancer tumors.
First of all, the patient is positioned lying face down. Then, the treated area is shaved and cleaned. After this, the anesthesia is injected in the muscles near the damaged vertebra or vertebrae. Then, the physician inserts a hollow needle, which is called trocar, into the zone. Next, the needle is filled with orthopedic cement. The full needle is passed through the skin into the fractured bone. This part of the procedure is done under X ray image guidance, in order to assure that the cement will only be released into the treated zone. However, an examination may be done in order to verify that the needle has reached the damaged vertebra. Once the verification has been done, the orthopedic cement is injected. The injected mixture of cement usually takes no more than 20 minutes to harden. Finally, the trocar is removed and the wound is covered with bandages. The procedure has to be repeated if more than one vertebra is treated.
The patient may leave the hospital the same day of the procedure. During the first 24 hours bed rest has to be done in order to assure success of the treatment. Also, bandage must remain in place for at least 4 days. Heavy lifting has to be avoided during the first 6 weeks of the post treatment process. Vertebroplasty tends to be a very successful pain relieving procedure. It is expected that as the pain diminishes the patient will gradually abandon pain medications.
Vertebroplasty is a highly safe treatment. The only complication that may happen during the procedure is orthopedic cement leakage. This happens when a small amount of the mixture injected by the trocar falls into another vertebral column zone. Usually this is not a serious complication unless it occurs near the spinal canal. If the spinal canal receives certain quantity of orthopedic cement it may cause damage to the nerves that are located in that zone. However, this problem tends to be very rare.
Vertebroplasty in most cases relieves the pain caused by vertebrae fractures, and also allows the patient to regain mobility.
Vertebroplasty will not prevent further fractures in the vertebrae or totally heal Osteoporosis. In addition, the spinal column curvature produced by this disease will not be corrected by the procedure.
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