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Vertebral Augmentation for Back Pain Treatment

Service performed at: Lennon Road-Flint

Most blame aging as the cause of back pain. But for more than 700,000 people, the true causes of back pain are vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) due to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis, meaning “porous bone”, is a gradual disease that weakens bones, often leading to vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Such fractures can cause chronic pain, loss of height, deformity in the upper back called a “Dowager’s Hump”, and more. For many, this sets in motion a serious of events leading to a rapid downward spiral in quality of life.

back pain treatment

Patients with osteoporosis are prone to compression fractures in bones of the spinal column called “vertebrae”. More than 700,000 such fractures occur every year in the United States. Patients with this condition are subject to debilitating pain, disturbed sleep, decreased lung and intestinal function, and difficulty completing routine activities. According to a recent report, data shows that “osteoporotic fractures are responsible for more hospitalizations than heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer combined”.

Read more: Brutal Toll of Osteoporotic Fractures Revealed in New Report

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty for Back Pain Treatment

These vertebral augmentation outpatient procedures are performed in our interventional radiology suite and usually take about one hour. There is no need for general anesthesia, hospitalization or a lengthy recovery.

Vertebroplasty. During vertebroplasty, the interventional radiologist uses fluoroscopy to guide a needle into position within the fractured vertebra. A special, fast-drying bone cement is injected into the bone to strengthen and stabilize the fracture. 90% of patients experience pain relief and improved mobility within 24 hours of their vertebroplasty procedure.1

Kyphoplasty is similar, except that a special medical-grade balloon is first inserted into the fractured vertebra, and then inflated to restore height to the bone. The balloon is then removed, and the bone cement is then injected into the hollow cavity made by the balloon. The vast majority of patients have reported that kyphoplasty provides immediate pain relief and has improved their quality of life.2

  1. Deramond H, Depriester C, Galibert P, Le Gars D. Percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethyl methacrylate. Technique, indications, and results. Radiol Clin North Am. 1998;36:533-46.
  2. McGirt MJ, Parker SL, Wolinsky JP, Witham TF, Bydon A, Gokaslan ZL. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures: an evidenced-based review of the literature. Spine J. 2009;9(6):501–508

Most RMI patients undergoing vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty experience a significant reduction in pain within a few days and an increased ability to perform daily activities afterwards. Potential benefits of vertebral augmentation:

  • Rapid and sustained pain relief
  • Increased mobility
  • Improved quality of life
  • Low complication rate

Preparing for a vertebral augmentation procedure

You will have a clinical evaluation including diagnostic imaging, a blood test, a physical exam, and other forms of diagnosis to confirm the presence of a compression fracture. To prepare:

  • Report all medicines you are taking. You may be advised to stop taking aspirin or other painkillers for a specific period of time before the procedure.
  • Women should always inform their physician and tech if there is a possibility they are pregnant.
  • On exam day, you may be able to take your usual meds with sips of water. Avoid orange juice, cream, and milk.
  • You should have a friend or relative prepared to drive you home after the procedure.
  • A gown is provided to wear during the procedure.
  • The technicians and radiologists will provide additional information prior to start.

After the Procedure

  • You may not drive after the procedure.
  • Bed rest is recommended for 24 hours.
  • Avoid strenuous exertion for at least six weeks.
  • Back pain relief may be immediate for some patients, for others it may take two days.
  • For a few days, you may feel sore at the point of needle insertion. Use an ice pack for 15 minutes per hour.

Back Pain Treatment Expertise

Our Kyphoplasty & Vertebroplasty expert is Dr. John Morrison, who specializes in neuroradiology and leads our back pain team. He will work with your physician to help mitigate your back pain.

For more information about back pain treatment or other services offered by Regional Medical Imaging, contact us today!

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