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Treatment for Compression Fractures, Courtesy of Diversified Vein & Interventional Radiology
Treatment for Compression Fractures
Q. I’m 80 and have a painful compression fracture in my spine but didn’t have an injury. How can this occur?
Q. Can vertebral compression fractures be treated without surgery?
Interventional radiologists perform a minimally invasive procedure known as vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty in which a needle is placed in the compressed vertebra and bone cement is injected into the vertebral body. The cement quickly hardens, providing strength to the vertebra and relieves pain.
Q. How long does the procedure take?
A. It takes about an hour and is done in the hospital under image guidance. After a few hours, patients are up and moving around and go home the same day.
Q. What are the benefits and risks of these procedures?
A. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty alleviate pain caused by compression fractures and most patients feel relief almost immediately. After just a few weeks, the most patients are symptom-free and can resume normal activities. Risks include infection, additional fracture and bone cement leakage but these are minimal.
Q. How do I know if I am a candidate for vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty?
A. Not all patients are candidates for these procedures, so it’s important to speak to your physician and an Interventional Radiologist trained in spinal augmentation. These procedures are not recommended for old, healed fractures of the spine.
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