How is Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Performed?
Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is usually reserved for patients who have not responded well to prior conventional treatment of osteoporosis with pain relievers or bed rest. Before PV, patients are given a mild sedative. To perform the minimally invasive operation, a surgeon places a needle through the skin into the area of the spine needing treatment. X-rays (fluoroscopy) are used to help guide the needle. Once the needle is positioned properly, a special liquid cement (called polymethylmethacrylate) is injected into the spinal fracture. The liquid cement is a special medical compound commonly used to cement artificial joints in place. It is mixed with an antibiotic powder to prevent infection and a barium powder so that it can be seen under the x-ray machine during injection. Once injected, the liquid cement takes approximately 20 minutes to harden. When it hardens, it becomes a permanent spinal reinforcement. In many cases, a second needle puncture is needed to fill the other side
