What is Vertebroplasty?
Vertebroplasty is the process of injecting polymethylacrylate (bone cement) into the spinal column in cases where there is decreased bone density, therefore, vertebrae that are at risk of fracture or fractured by loading, or that there is a decrease in the height of the spine due to cancer metastases. Vertebraplasty is a procedure to strengthen the intra-spinal bone.
How is Vertebroplasty Performed?
The patient is given a sedative before the application. The patient is placed on the operating table in the prone position. Depending on the location of the spinal fracture, the area where the intervention will be made in the back or waist region is sterilely wiped and covered. With the control of the scopy (the device that provides imaging using X-rays), the area where the intervention will be performed is displayed. After the intervention point is determined, local anesthetic is applied to the entry point. A small incision is made at this point and the vertebroplasty needle is advanced until it comes into contact with the bone, and the needle is rotated to enter the spinal cortex. After the needle is placed, cement is given with bone cement scopy control
Who Can Have Vertebroplasty?
Compression fractures due to osteoporosis
Spine fractures due to cancer metastasis
Spinal angioma
Multiple myeloma
Traumatic spine fractures
What Happens After Vertebroplasty?
It takes approximately one hour for the bone cement to set within the vertebra. During this period, the patient should not be moved. After two hours, the patient can be turned over. It is appropriate for the patient to rest for a week after the application.
What is Kyphoplasty?
Although the procedure is similar to vertebroplasty, it is the process of placing a balloon into the target spine first, inflating this balloon, and then giving a thicker consistency medical cement to the created space after it is deflated.
