Vertebroplasty: Effective Treatment for Compression Fractures

According to a Mayo Clinic study, patients with osteoporosis have less back pain and are more functional following vertebroplasty than before vertebroplasty. A procedure used to treat patients who have suffered compression fractures of their spine with no or minimal injury, vertebroplasty involves injecting medical cement into the compression fractures in the spinal vertebrae.

Each year, about 700,000 people suffer compression fractures associated with osteoporosis. In 20% of these patients, the compression fractures do not heal and treatment is required. Surgery is not considered an option due to weak, brittle bones. Vertebroplasty is an option for some people requiring treatment for compression fractures due to osteoporosis. Vertebroplasty is not indicated for back pain associated with ligament injury, joint disease, or spinal stenosis. Also read this update from Mayo Clinic about possible fractures in adjacent vertebrae following vertebroplasty.

• Osteoporosis Screening Quiz
• Osteoporosis Risk Factor Quiz
• Bone Up On Osteoporosis