Vertebroplasty

Osteoporosis and Vertebroplasty

Osteoporosis, a common condition of gradual bone loss, is frequently complicated by weakening of the backbone and fractures of the vertebral column. This frequent complication of vertebral compression fractures causes chronic pain and disability.  Fifteen percent of women and five percent of men over the age of 50 will suffer one or more vertebral compression fractures related to osteoporosis.  The incidence will increase as the population increases in average age.

Most vertebral compression fractures occur following routine activities of daily life; however, they may occur following a fall.  Less than 25% will make a complete and early recovery from their fracture.  Seventy-five percent of those that have suffered a vertebral compression fracture will have persistent back pain and disability.

Prevention is the best treatment for vertebral compression fractures.  Those at risk benefit from exercise and calcium supplements to increase bone density.  Exercise therapy effectively inhibits bone loss from the vertebral skeleton.  However, the principle benefit of exercise may be increased muscle strength, flexibility and endurance. To effectively increase bone density, exercise must be a routine part of your lifestyle.  Exercising in groups encourages men and women to maintain this important step to avoid vertebral fracture.  See your doctor to determine which exercises may be best for you.

Calcium supplements and drugs that decrease bone resorption are more effective than exercise alone for the preservation of bone mass.  Many advances are being made in our understanding of bone mass preservation and, consequently, in decreasing vertebral compression fractures. Drugs that lower cholesterol may have the added benefit of decreasing fractures in elderly persons. For those that already have vertebral fractures, therapy has been limited to symptomatic treatments - until recently.

Traditionally, stable vertebral compression fractures have been managed non-surgically with medications for pain relief, back support, epidural injections, lifestyle changes, postural advice, physical therapy and rehabilitation.  A new therapy, Percutaneous Vertebroplasty, is very effective in the management of pain caused by vertebral compression fractures.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure. It consists of the injection of acrylic bone cement into the vertebral fracture to obtain stabilization and symptom relief.  The pain management physician performs the procedure with the assistance of special x-ray equipment. Percutaneous vertebroplasty can result in relief of pain in 80-90% of patients.  The relief is usually achieved within 3 days of the procedure.  For more information about this advanced procedure, speak to your pain management physician.