Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to strengthen a weakened or fractured vertebral body with bone cement, performed percutaneously under X-ray guidance. Its aim is to reduce pain and stabilise the vertebra to prevent further collapse.

Indications

The procedure is used for painful vertebral body lesions when pain persists despite conservative treatment (pain medication, rest, a brace and physiotherapy). The most common indications are:

  • osteoporotic compression fractures, in which a vertebra is crushed and loses height,
  • vertebral body haemangiomas, which are benign vascular lesions that cause pain or weaken the bone,
  • tumour lesions that weaken the vertebral body, including multiple myeloma and spinal metastases,
  • vertebral body necrosis following a fracture that has not healed.