Cincinnati Compression Fracture

Professional Radiology Inc.

A vertebral compression fracture is a bone break that allows a vertebrae to collapse onto itself, creating a wedge shaped vertebrae instead of a cylindrical one.  This, if left untreated, can cause an untold amount of pain and lead to the development of kyphosis, more commonly referred to as a hunched back.  There are numerous causes of a vertebral compression fracture, including osteoporosis, arthritis, severe back trauma, cancer, and degenerative disc disease. 

Vertebroplasty and Balloon Kyphoplasty procedures are administered by Interventional Radiologists as well as other physicians in order to minimize pain caused by compression fractures.  Current literature reports greater than 90% pain relief, with over 400,000 fractures treated in the past 8 years.  Optimally, the procedure should be performed as soon as possible after vertebral fracture occurs, to maximize height restoration.  However, patients with older painful fractures can still receive immediate pain relief.

Both procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis with patients usually returning home the same day of the procedure.  A brief recovery period is required, and the entire process from door to door usually takes an entire morning or afternoon.  Normal activity can be resumed the following day.  There is some soreness associated with the procedure that should be controlled with over-the-counter pain medicine. 

The physician performing the procedure will review any scans that have been taken of the patient ahead of time, and will make the determination as to which of the two procedures is more appropriate. 

Vertebroplasty involves inserting needles into the fractured vertebra while the patient is under “twilight anesthesia” or conscious sedation.  FDA-approved bone cement is then gently administered into the fractured vertebra in order to add strength to this vertebra and stabilize the fracture.  Balloon Kyphoplasty is a similar procedure also performed under conscious sedation.  The difference in Kyphoplasty is that balloons are inserted in the fractured vertebra through the needles during the procedure.  The balloons are then inflated to create a cavity for the cement, and at the same time they can actually lift up the edges of the vertebra, if it has been flattened or compressed by the fracture.  Cement is then gently inserted into the vertebra as it is in the Vertebroplasty procedure.  One important thing to know is that “real time” X-rays (also known as fluoroscopy) is used during both procedures so that the Interventional Radiologist can see the cement being placed into the bone, and to ensure proper filling and a good result.

If you or your physician would like more information regarding percutaneous Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty feel free to contact Professional Radiology at 513-527-9999.

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