Vertebroplasty

A minimally invasive procedure to relieve spine pain

A vertebroplasty is a procedure that injects bone cement into one or more bones of the spine (vertebrae). This minimally invasive procedure can stabilize the spine and reduce or eliminate your spine pain. Other benefits of the procedure include:

• Easier movement
• Less need for pain medication
• Prevention of future collapse of the vertebra

There is a small risk of complications from a vertebroplasty, although these are rare. Possible complications include:

• Bleeding
• Increased back pain
• Infection
• Numbness or tingling
• Leaking of the bone cement, which can lead to nerve compression

Pain Management Service, Newton-Wellesley Ambulatory Care Center
159 Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
Phone: 617-243-6142

What to Expect From Your Vertebroplasty

When you arrive for your procedure, one of our nurses will speak with you about what your pain is like and how you manage your daily activities. We’ll record the following vital health information:

• Allergies
• Blood pressure
• Brief health history
• Medications you’re currently taking
• Pulse
• Temperature
• Weight

It’s especially important to tell your nurse if you:

• Are allergic to contrast dye, Betadine (iodine), or latex
• Currently take blood thinners
• Have diabetes or could be pregnant

Next, you’ll discuss the treatment with your doctor and go into the X-ray room, where we’ll help you onto a table. You’ll receive oxygen through a nasal tube, as well as medication to relax you and ease your pain. Once you’re comfortable, your doctor will place a needle into your spine using X-ray images for guidance. We’ll inject the bone cement into the fractured vertebra to fill spaces in the bone and stabilize it. The whole procedure takes about an hour.

You should plan to stay with us for about half an hour after your procedure. This allows the bone cement to harden and your sedative to wear off. During this time, a nurse will go over any questions you may have and review your discharge instructions and required follow-up care. We’ll encourage you to make an appointment for follow-up evaluation two weeks after your vertebroplasty.

When You Go Home After Your Vertebroplasty

You can resume taking all your normal medications after your procedure. Watch for any signs of infection from your back, such as:

• Chills
• Excessive drainage, warmth, or redness at the surgical site
• Fever

A slight amount of drainage for a day or two after your vertebroplasty is normal. You can remove the small bandage over your incision 24 hours after the procedure. There are no stitches to remove.

Do not lift anything heavier than a carton of milk for three months after your vertebroplasty. After three months, you can gradually increase the amount of weight you lift until you return to your normal capacity. We encourage you to walk after your vertebroplasty, and you can bend as long as it doesn’t cause you pain. Do not soak in a bathtub or shower for 24 hours after your procedure.

It’s normal to feel some pain or discomfort after a vertebroplasty. Many patients experience a 90 percent or more reduction in pain after 24 to 48 hours. Place ice on your injection site or take regular pain medications, muscle relaxants, and laxatives as directed to relieve your pain.

Talk to your doctor for more information about receiving a referral for a vertebroplasty, or call us at 617-243-6142 to request an appointment.