Vertebroplasty is the procedure by which bone cement is injected into the vertebral body to provide strength to the weakened vertebra. Old patients with weak bones, bones shrunk due to previous fracture, simple bone tumours are some common indications for which it is indicated. The procedure is of short duration (30 minutes), and usually done under general or local anesthesia. Two small stitches are usually put which can be removed on an out-patient basis, ten days after the procedure. Patients are usually made to walk from the next day. The patient is discharged on the second day as most patients are pain free by then. During sitting and walking, patients have to wear a belt at least for a period of two months. Most patients return to their routine prehospital life style in a week to ten days.
Patients with spinal instability who do not improve after a course of conservative treatment require surgical stabilization. Surgery is done from the behind under general anesthesia. The unstable spine segment is stabilized with screws and rods along with bone grafts. The bone grafts help in fusing the unstable spine segments. patients are usually made to sit and stand from the second or third day. Patients are discharged at the end of one week with necessary advice. Patients can go for regular walks, climb stairs, travel in a car after two weeks. They require a belt to be worn while walking at least for a period of three months.
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Osteoporotic fracture with pseudoarthrosis |
Percutaneous vertebroplasty under flouroscopic guidance
Kyphoplasty is a simple procedure to restore the original height and angle of kyphosis of a fractured vertebra followed by its stabilization using injected bone cement as in vertebroplasty. These are currently carried out by using either hydraulic or mechanical intravertebral expansion and are performed percutaneously.
Post operative x ray of
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