Vertebral Collapse Related Pain

Category

Spinal (Back Pain)

Vertebral collapse-related pain

Spinal bones are called vertebrae. Vertebroplasty is used most often to treat a type of injury called a compression fracture. These injuries are usually caused by osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bone. Osteoporosis is most common in older people.

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures used to treat vertebral compression fractures of the spine. These painful, wedge-shaped fractures can be caused by osteoporosis, injury or cancer. Left untreated, they can lead to a humped spine (kyphosis). By restoring the vertebra height with a balloon and injecting cement into the fractured bone, patients can recover faster and reduce the risk of future fractures.The cement-strengthened vertebra allows you to stand straight, reduces your pain, and prevents further fractures.

Vertebroplasty can relieve the pain caused by compression fractures in the spine.

Weakened spinal bones can crack or break into many pieces. The fractures can occur during activities that wouldn't usually break a bone. Examples include:

• Twisting
• Bending
• Coughing or sneezing
• Lifting
• Rolling over in bed

Who is the candidate?

Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty may be a treatment option if you have painful vertebral compression fractures from:

• Osteoporosis (a depletion of calcium in bones)
• Metastatic tumor (cancer spread from another area)
• Multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow)
• Vertebral hemangioma (benign vascular tumor)

You may not be a candidate if you have:

• Non-painful stable compression fractures
• Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
• Bleeding disorders
• Allergy to medications used during the procedure
• Fracture fragment or tumor in the spinal canal

Risks

Vertebroplasty involves injecting a type of bone cement into a broken spinal bone. In a similar treatment, called kyphoplasty, a balloon is first inserted into the spinal bone. The balloon is inflated to create more space inside the bone. Then the balloon is deflated and removed before the cement is injected.

Risks associated with either procedure include:

• Cement leakage. Part of the cement can leak from the spinal bone. This can cause new symptoms if the cement presses on the spinal cord or nerves. Tiny pieces of this leaked cement also can enter the bloodstream and move to the lungs, heart, kidneys or brain. Very rarely, this can damage these organs and sometimes even cause death.

What does the procedure involve?

The doctor will clean the area over the spine and insert a small needle into the target area under imaging guidance. When it is in the correct position, they will inject cement. They will remove the needle and cover the injection site with a small dressing.

What you are to do before procedure (Preparation)?

1. Book prior appointment if elective or get admission in causality if emergency
2. Lab investigation (*PT/INR, CBC), XRAY, CT/MRI scan and previous records.
3. 2-3 Hours fasting.
4. If you are on blood thinner like Aspirin, inform during appointment.
5. One accompanying person
6. Need to sign a consent form for procedure

Approx. Stay in hospital?

We have very fast and competent working team (Consultant, fellow, clinical assistant, technician and ward assistant) which provide you comfortable atmosphere and ease your nerves. Usual time of stay is around 1day

Complications

Every procedure carries a risk, although this is extremely small. The risk of infection with this procedure is extremely small as no incisions are made in the skin.