How does vertebroplasty work?

Vertebroplasty is the stabilisation of vertebral body fractures by introducing bone cement.

Bone cement stabilises the collapsed vertebral body from inside and it can prevent further painful deformation. The original height of the vertebral body cannot be restored by this method though. Patients usually feel considerable pain relief directly after the operation. Vertebroplasty ranks among the minimally invasive surgery so patients only have to remain in hospital for a few days.

The operation is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. In some cases it can also be conducted under a local anaesthetic. The method of anaesthesia to be used is discussed with the surgeon or the anaesthetist when they brief you about informed consent.

The operation to treat a vertebral body fracture usually takes about 45 minutes; if more than one vertebral body is being treated, surgery will take 20 minutes longer for each one.

Once under anaesthetic, the patient is placed on his stomach. Then the vertebral body or bodies involved are marked on the patient's back and covered with sterile drapes. An X-ray unit or CT scanner is placed at the ready so that the surgeon can check the position and direction of his surgical instruments during the operation. Finally the surgeon makes skin incisions about 1 centimetre long on the left and right of the vertebral body involved.

Now a hollow needle is introduced through each of these skin incisions and inserted into the vertebral body. On the X-ray unit or CT scanner the surgeon can check at any time to make sure the hollow needles are in the ideal position.

When the hollow needles are positioned correctly in the collapsed vertebral body, the injection of bone cement commences. The cement is very liquid so that it can fill the porous structures and cracks in the vertebral body. It also contains a contrast agent so the doctor can closely monitor and check the distribution of bone cement on the X-ray unit or CT scanner.

When sufficient bone cement has been injected into the vertebral body, the hollow needles can be removed. Then the small skin incisions are closed either with skin suture or plasters.

If a general anaesthetic was administered, the patient is monitored and looked after by a specially trained nursing team and anaesthetists in the recovery room immediately after the operation. If necessary, infusions or pain killers are administered. Once the patient's general condition has stabilised, he or she is transferred to his or her room on the normal ward.