Should conservative treatments for vertebral compression or sacral insufficiency fractures fail to achieve lasting pain relief, several non-surgical vertebral augmentation procedures are available from the doctors at VISA. They are highly effective and performed in our comfortable outpatient center.
Vertebroplasty – Our interventional radiologist uses imaging to guide a needle into the fractured vertebra. A fast-drying bone cement is injected into the fracture, which stabilizes it and strengthens the bone. The effects are nearly immediate, with 90% of patients experiencing pain relief and an improvement in mobility within 24 hours of the procedure.1
Kyphoplasty – This procedure is similar to vertebroplasty but with an extra step. First, a small medical-grade balloon is placed within the vertebra and inflated to restore height to the bone. The balloon is then deflated, and the fast-drying cement is injected into the hollow cavity made by the bone. Once it hardens, the bone has returned to its original shape. Patients undergoing kyphoplasty experience lower mortality and morbidity than patients who receive conservative management.2
Sacroplasty – The interventional radiologist inserts a needle, guided by imaging, into the sacral fracture. A fast-drying bone cement is injected into the fracture, stabilizing the bone and providing pain relief. Sacroplasty patients requiring opioid medication decreased from 64.8% to 8.1%.3
The majority of patients undergoing vertebral augmentation procedures experience immediate pain relief and an improved quality of life.4
For more information, or to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, please call 205-905-8411.