Vertebroplasty

PAIN CONDITION

Compression fractures are breaks in your spinal bones (vertebrae) that cause them to collapse, leaving you with severe, debilitating pain and reduced mobility. The answer to your relief may be vertebroplasty. Also known as percutaneous vertebroplasty, this minimally invasive procedure uses special cement injected into the affected vertebrae to stabilize the broken pieces, relieve pain, and restore mobility.[1]

Vertebroplasty is considered a safe, effective alternative to surgery for patients with vertebral compression fractures (VCF).[2] Learn how this procedure can treat spinal compression pain and allow you to move comfortably again.

How Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Works

During your percutaneous vertebroplasty, a hollow needle will be inserted into your spine using a fluoroscopy video X-ray.[3] A needle will inject bone cement into the compromised bone.[4] Within minutes, the cement will harden, stabilizing the broken spinal bones.[4] Each spinal bone or vertebra repaired with cement helps relieve pain, prevent further collapse and increase mobility.[3]

Following your cementoplasty, you may go home the same day on bed rest with a gradual return to your normal activities.[5]

Vertebroplasty VS Kyphoplasty

Both procedures are used to treat painful VCF. Vertebroplasty uses surgical cement to repair the fracture and has a good success rate in relieving back pain.[1]. Kyphoplasty[a] uses a balloon to expand the vertebrae to its original height, creating space to fill with cement.[1]

Conditions Treated with Vertebroplasty

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a type of spinal cementoplasty that treats spinal fractures, often in patients with osteoporosis.[6]

Vertebroplasty treats compression fractures of the spine caused by:

Osteoporosis [1]
Spinal injury or trauma [1]
Cancer [1]
Hemangioma [2]
Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis) [2]

Benefits of Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is most effective for more recent spinal fractures but can also be successful in treating older ones. It can provide relief when traditional treatments like bed rest, medication and braces haven’t worked.

The advantages of vertebroplasty, according to the Cleveland Clinic[b], include:

Pain Relief: 87% of patients experience reduced back pain, allowing for a return to normal activities.
Improved Mobility: Stabilizing the fractured vertebra can enhance your ability to move and perform daily tasks.
Quick Recovery: Recovery time is relatively short, with many patients resuming their routines shortly after.
Prevents kyphosis from worsening: Helps stop hunching over from getting worse.
Minimally Invasive: No incisions are required as the procedure utilizes needles.
Short Procedure: This is a relatively quick procedure when compared to surgery.
No Physical Therapy: PT isn’t required as it is after surgery to restore mobility unless significant muscle tone and strength are lost.

PRP Injection Specialists and Pain Management Clinics

Percutaneous vertebroplasty may be an option if conservative treatments have failed to provide relief or store mobility. This drug-free surgical alternative offers significant pain reduction and stabilization of the spine.

Vertebroplasty treats small vertebral fractures, often caused by osteoporosis. A pain specialist can help determine if it’s right for you. Vertebral augmentation can be combined with interventional treatments like nerve blocks, joint injections, and spinal cord stimulation. Complementary therapies can be introduced to promote balanced and whole-body pain management for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vertebroplasty

How can I tell whether Vertebroplasty is helping?

Before Vertebroplasty, identify two or three measurable goals such as sleeping longer, walking farther, sitting through work, using less rescue medication, or completing a specific daily task. After treatment, record both symptom changes and functional changes over the timeframe provided by the clinician. Improvement may be immediate, gradual, partial, or temporary depending on the treatment. A structured record is more useful than relying on a single pain score and helps the care team decide whether to continue, modify, or stop the approach.

What happens if Vertebroplasty does not provide enough relief?

An incomplete response to Vertebroplasty does not automatically mean that no other options remain. The clinician may reassess the diagnosis, confirm whether enough time has passed to judge the result, review technique or adherence, and look for more than one source of pain. The next step might involve rehabilitation, medication adjustment, a different targeted treatment, further testing, or referral to another specialist. Repeating an ineffective treatment without a clear reason is generally less useful than reviewing why the expected goals were not met.

Can Vertebroplasty be repeated or continued long term?

Whether Vertebroplasty can be repeated or continued depends on what the treatment involves, the benefit achieved, side effects, cumulative risks, and available alternatives. Some treatments are designed as a limited trial, some can be repeated at clinically appropriate intervals, and others are intended as one-time procedures with ongoing follow-up. Patients should ask what result would justify another treatment and whether there is a recommended limit. Continued use should be based on documented improvement in function or quality of life, not routine scheduling alone.

What should my other healthcare clinicians know about Vertebroplasty?

Clinicians managing other health conditions should know that Vertebroplasty is planned or has been performed, particularly when they prescribe blood thinners, diabetes medication, immune-suppressing drugs, sedatives, or other medicines that may affect safety. Share the treatment date, medication or device details when relevant, and the name of the treating practice. Patients should not stop a prescription on their own. Coordinating information among clinicians helps prevent conflicting instructions and supports safer decisions before and after treatment.

How should follow-up be planned after starting Vertebroplasty?

Follow-up after Vertebroplasty should occur at a time when the expected response can be evaluated meaningfully. The care team should explain what changes may occur first, what information to track, which activities or medicines require special instructions, and whom to contact with concerns. Bring a record of symptom relief, function, side effects, and any new medical events to the visit. Earlier contact is appropriate for unexpected severe symptoms, while routine questions can usually be addressed at the planned reassessment.

What should I ask my insurer about coverage for Vertebroplasty?

Coverage for Vertebroplasty varies by plan, diagnosis, prior treatment requirements, provider network, and whether authorization is needed. Before scheduling, ask the insurer and treating practice about medical-necessity criteria, required records, facility and professional fees, medication or device charges, and expected out-of-pocket costs. An authorization is not always a guarantee of payment, so retain reference numbers and written estimates. If coverage is denied, ask which reason was given and whether additional documentation or an appeal is available.

Which records should I bring when discussing Vertebroplasty?

Useful records for a consultation about Vertebroplasty may include imaging and reports, procedure or operative notes, medication history, rehabilitation summaries, allergy information, and a list of prior treatments with their results. Device information and relevant laboratory or nerve-test reports may also matter. Organize documents chronologically and identify the current functional problem you want addressed. Complete records help the clinician avoid repeating ineffective care and determine whether the treatment matches the suspected source of pain.

What questions should I ask when comparing Vertebroplasty with alternatives?

Ask how Vertebroplasty fits the suspected pain source, what level and duration of improvement are realistic, what evidence supports its use for the specific diagnosis, and which risks matter most for your health history. Compare recovery demands, the need for repeat care, cost, and what happens if the treatment is unsuccessful. It is also reasonable to ask about doing nothing immediately or trying a less invasive option first. A useful decision reflects the patient’s goals and preferences as well as technical eligibility.

Resources:

Vertebroplasty. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Reviewed November 30, 2023. Accessed January 30, 2025. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/vertebroplasty
Jay B, Ahn SH. Vertebroplasty. Semin Intervent Radiol [Internet]. 2013;30(3):297-306. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1353483. Accessed January 30, 2025. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3773069/
Dong R, Chen L, Tang T, et al. Pain reduction following vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Int Orthop [Internet]. 2013;37(1):83-87. doi:10.1007/s00264-012-1709-0 Accessed January 30, 2025. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3532655/
Jagannathan J. Vertebroplasty After a Painful Spine Fracture. Spine-Health [Internet]. Accessed January 30, 2025. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/vertebroplasty-after-a-painful-spine-fracture
Jagannathan J. Vertebroplasty Procedure. Spine Health [Internet]. Accessed January 30, 2025. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/vertebroplasty-procedure
Katsanos K, Sabharwal T, Adam A. Percutaneous cementoplasty. Semin Intervent Radiol [Internet]. 2010;27(2):137-147. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1253512. Accessed January 30, 2025. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3036515/