What is Percutaneous Vertebroplasty?
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to treat the pain caused by a compression fracture within the vertebral body of the spine. The procedure is performed using x-ray guidance to accurately place a medical grade cement with the consistency of toothpaste, into a partially compressed vertebral body. This cement-like material is injected through a needle placed through the skin into the vertebral body. Vertebroplasty has been proven to be more than 80 percent effective in stopping pain and prevents further deterioration of the fractured vertebra. Who’s eligible for the procedure? Patient selection is very important because the treatment is specific for pain associated with simple vertebral fracture and compression. This treatment should not be utilized nor expected to be effective for the treatment of degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, or compression of the spinal cord or its associated nerve roots. Also, vertebral bodies must still retain a portion of the
