CARE & TREATMENT IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY
Sudden, severe back pain following a minor fall or even simple activities like coughing can signal a compression fracture in your spine, leaving you feeling fragile and fearful of movement. When vertebral compression fractures cause debilitating pain that limits your mobility and independence, vertebroplasty offers a minimally invasive solution that can provide rapid relief and restore your confidence in movement.
At New York Spine Specialist, we understand that compression fractures can dramatically impact your quality of life, making even basic activities like getting dressed or walking to the mailbox feel insurmountable. Our skilled interventional spine physicians utilize advanced vertebroplasty techniques to stabilize fractured vertebrae and provide the pain relief you need to reclaim your active lifestyle.
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat painful vertebral compression fractures by injecting medical-grade bone cement directly into the fractured vertebra. This innovative technique stabilizes the broken bone, reduces pain, and helps prevent further collapse of the affected vertebra.
The procedure involves inserting a thin needle through the skin and into the fractured vertebra under precise imaging guidance. Once properly positioned, specially formulated bone cement is injected into the vertebral body, where it hardens within minutes to create internal support and stability.
During vertebroplasty, patients lie face down on a specialized table while fluoroscopic imaging provides real-time visualization of the spine. After numbing the skin and deeper tissues with local anesthetic, a small needle is carefully guided through the back muscles and into the fractured vertebra.
The bone cement used in vertebroplasty is a medical-grade material called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which hardens to provide immediate structural support. The cement fills the spaces within the fractured bone, creating an internal cast that stabilizes the vertebra and often provides dramatic pain relief within hours of the procedure.
Vertebroplasty primarily treats painful vertebral compression fractures, which most commonly occur in patients with osteoporosis. These fractures can develop spontaneously or result from minor trauma in bones weakened by age-related bone loss, causing the vertebral body to collapse and create a wedge-shaped deformity.
Cancer patients may also benefit from vertebroplasty when metastatic disease weakens vertebral bones, making them susceptible to fractures. Multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects bone marrow, frequently causes vertebral fractures that respond well to this treatment approach.
Certain traumatic fractures in younger patients may also be candidates for vertebroplasty, particularly when the fracture pattern and bone quality make the procedure technically feasible and clinically beneficial.
The best candidates for vertebroplasty are patients with recent vertebral compression fractures causing significant pain that has not responded adequately to conservative treatments. Fractures that are less than six months old typically respond better to the procedure, though older fractures may also benefit in certain circumstances.
Patients should have pain that correlates with the level of the fracture on imaging studies, and the fracture should show signs of bone marrow edema on MRI, indicating active healing processes. Good overall health and the ability to lie prone during the procedure are also important considerations for successful outcomes.
One of the most significant advantages of vertebroplasty is the rapid pain relief many patients experience. Studies show that up to 90% of patients report substantial improvement in pain levels within 24 to 48 hours following the procedure, with many noting immediate relief upon standing after treatment.
The minimally invasive nature of vertebroplasty means a much shorter recovery period compared to traditional spinal surgery. Most patients go home the same day or after an overnight observation period, and normal activities can typically be resumed within a few days.
Long-term studies demonstrate that the benefits of vertebroplasty are generally sustained over time. The injected cement provides permanent stabilization of the fractured vertebra, preventing further collapse and maintaining pain relief for years following the procedure.
Many patients find that successful vertebroplasty allows them to return to activities they had avoided due to pain, including walking, gardening, and social activities. The procedure may also reduce the need for pain medications and decrease the risk of additional complications associated with prolonged bed rest.
Before vertebroplasty, our team conducts a thorough evaluation including review of recent imaging studies and assessment of your pain patterns. We ensure that your symptoms correlate with the fracture location and that vertebroplasty is the most appropriate treatment option.
On the day of your procedure, you’ll receive conscious sedation to help you remain comfortable while staying awake enough to communicate with your physician. The procedure typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of vertebrae being treated.
Following vertebroplasty, you’ll rest quietly for several hours while the cement fully hardens. Most patients notice significant improvement in pain during this observation period and are able to walk comfortably before discharge.
Successful vertebroplasty requires not only technical precision but also comprehensive evaluation to ensure appropriate patient selection and optimal outcomes. At New York Spine Specialist, our interventional spine physicians bring extensive experience in treating vertebral compression fractures using the latest minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Lattuga, rated in the top 1% of doctors in New York and New Jersey by Press Ganey, leads our team in providing exceptional care for patients suffering from painful spinal fractures.
Our state-of-the-art facilities and affiliations with premier hospitals including New York Presbyterian Hospital, Northwell, and Brooklyn Hospital ensure that you receive the highest quality care throughout your treatment. We provide comprehensive spine services in multiple languages, making advanced vertebroplasty treatment accessible to our diverse patient community. If you’re suffering from the pain of vertebral compression fractures, contact us today at (516) 355-0111 or schedule your consultation through our contact form to learn how vertebroplasty can help restore your mobility and quality of life.
