Vertebral Augmentation For Spinal Compression Fractures at Alexian Brothers Neurosciences Institute

Why vertebral augmentation?

Each year, about 800,000 women and men suffer painful spinal compression fractures caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or tumors. Vertebral augmentation is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that reduces pain and improves range of motion in more than 90% of patients treated - often within 24 to 48 hours of treatment.

Spinal compression fractures are a serious and growing problem for older adults in this country. They can be quite painful and lead to severe disability.  Spinal compression fractures, also known as vertebral compression fractures, are fractures in vertebra, the small bones that make up the spinal column. These fractures are often the result of thinning of the bone, trauma, tumors, and long-term use of steroid medications.  Despite advances in medical treatment, osteoporosis remains the leading risk factor for developing a vertebral compression fracture. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of spinal compression fractures:

• Sudden onset of back pain
• Worsening back pain with standing or walking
• Limited mobility of the spine
• Loss of height
• Deformity and disability

Spinal compression fractures are usually followed by sharp back pain, and may lead to chronic pain, kyphosis or dowager's hump, loss of height, and a progressive decline in health. Since one fracture can lead to another, it is important that spinal compression fractures be diagnosed and treated early.

What is vertebral augmentation?

Treatment has significantly evolved over the last 10 years with the development of new, minimally invasive procedures.  Vertebral augmentation - or vertebroplasty - is the term often used to describe the procedure in which bone cement is injected into the vertebral body to stabilize and strengthen the damaged bone.  A closely related procedure is balloon-assisted vertebroplasty, more commonly known as kyphoplasty. 

Although there are no head-to-head, scientific trials to show which procedure is better, it is generally agreed that in experienced hands, these two closely related procedures both offer a quick, safe, and effective treatment that restores quality of life.  Within 72 hours following the procedure, up to 90% of patients experience a dramatic reduction or complete relief of pain.  Patients typically report an improvement in their mobility and are able to return to previous levels of activity. 

Improved Quality of Life

• Dramatic reduction in pain
• Increased range of motion
• Return to previous levels of activity
• Protection against further collapse of the vertebra in the level treated

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are typically performed as outpatient procedures, requiring local anesthetic and mild sedation.   The recovery period is generally short, and patients can go home the same day. Over 22 years, numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that these procedures provide long term relief with very few complications.  Following the procedure, the cement-injected bone is protected against further destruction and the strengthening of the vertebra may help prevent the collapse of adjacent vertebral segments.

Safe treatment that brings quick relief

• Minimally invasive, outpatient procedure (no overnight hospital stay)
• Alleviates possible complications of general anesthesia and open surgery
• Quick recovery time
• Low complication rate

The evaluation for undergoing one of these procedures typically includes a history and physical, x-rays of the back, and a MRI or bone scan to confirm the diagnosis and exclude any other causes for pain or reasons for not doing the procedure.