A 36-year-old member asked:
what can you tell me about vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Lynn Bartlanswered
Neurosurgery 28 years experience
Compression Fracture: Vertebroplasty is a procedure designed for the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures. A needle is inserted through the back into the vertebral body with a painful compression fracture. A bone cement is injected into the bone with fluoroscopic guidance. The cement will harden in 5-10 minutes. It can result in immediate relief of pain due to the compression fracture.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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PA
A 67-year-old member asked:
Can you explain a procedure called, "kyproplasty".?
1 doctor answer • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Orranswered
Surgical Oncology 44 years experience
For spine fractures: I think you mean kyphoplasty. Although I do not do these procedures, there is abundant material on the internet (search the mayo clinic site for example). It is for compression fractures of the spine and is a way of restoring the height of the compressed vertebra. A ballon is inserted to make a cavity in the bone which is then filled with bone cement.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Has anyone here done a vertebroplasty? How risky?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jonathan Hydeanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 29 years experience
Yes: It is a low risk procedure for osteoporotic compression fractures. There are risks due to the viscocity of the injected cement. If not properly monitored, the cement can leak out of the bone into the adjacent structures including the veins, disc, and spinal canal. The procedure should only be done with a doctor with good training and experience.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 18-year-old female asked:
What are the problems with vertebroplasty?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
A US doctor answeredLearn more
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.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 18-year-old female asked:
If you have done kyphoplasties and vertebroplasties, for people with vcf, what are the specific benefits of a kyphoplasty over a vertebroplasty?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Sharad Rajpalanswered
Neurosurgery 19 years experience
Treating MD's choice: The best kind of treatment for the patient is actually the treatment option done best by the treating physician. One is not necessarily superior over others, as long as the treating physician is competent in the technique. One has to take into account multiple factors, including the level of fracture, degree of compression, fracture fragment locations, patient medical issues, etc.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
When is a vertebroplasty needed?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Will Mooreheadanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 52 years experience
Severe Pain : Vertebroplasty is commonly used following failure of conservative care such as bed rest, bracing, physicial therapy or adverse effect of medication. If the pain intensity is severe following the above care, vertebroplasty is a good alternative. It may be used immediately in those patient whose pain is so intensive that hospitalization is required and in the elderly who cannot tollerate bed rest.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Apr 24, 2016
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