What are the problems with vertebroplasty?

Several: Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are not risk-free. Short-term complications occur mainly due to extravasation of the cement and can include increased pain and damage from heat or pressure to the spinal cord or nerve roots as well as cement embolization. Long-term problems include local acceleration of bone resorption caused by the treatment itself and new vertebral fractures.

Vertebroplasty: Complications due to vertebroplasty are usually due to polymethylmethacrylate (pmma) cement leakage from the compressed vertebral body. Pmma leakage is a frequent occurrence in vertebroplasty and the main source of complications. Neurological complications are due to cement leakage into the spinal canal and less exceptionally into the intervertebral foramen.