Vertebroplasty

Overview

Mayo Clinic was one of the first medical centers in the United States to offer vertebroplasty, and specially trained radiologists have performed more than 1,000 vertebroplasties since 1997. Kyphoplasty, a slightly different approach, is also offered at Mayo.

What is Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty is a procedure that offers relief to patients suffering prolonged and debilitating pain from compression fractures in the spinal vertebrae. It involves injecting bone cement into the vertebrae to stabilize fractures, and results in significant pain relief and restoration of mobility in many patients. Read more about vertebroplasty.

What is Kyphoplasty?

Similar to vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty may be used on patients with compression fractures in the lower half of the spine. Kyphoplasty offers the potential to restore bone height in the vertebra and reverse deformity of the spine. Read more about kyphoplasty.

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Who Is a Candidate for Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty?

Patients may be candidates for vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty if they have debilitating pain that can be traced to a compression fracture. A compression fracture, which is often associated with osteoporosis, occurs when pressure on a vertebra (a bone in the spine) causes it to break or crack. In addition to being painful, compression fractures can cause abnormal spine curvature that can lead to other serious health problems.

To determine whether vertebroplasty is the right treatment for the patient, the doctor will order X-rays of the patient's spine, and other imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a bone scan. These tests help to determine where the fractures are and how recently they occurred.

Not all people with compression fractures are good candidates for the procedure, however. Vertebroplasty may be the most effective for fractures less than six months old, but the physician will decide by looking at the fractures. In addition, those with soft or porous bones may be at risk for broken rib bones as a result of vertebroplasty, because the procedure requires the patient to lie facedown for an hour or more.