What is Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a procedure that is performed to treat collapsed bones (compression fractures) in the spine. Spine (vertebral) fractures can be painful and may limit movement.

In this procedure, bone cement is injected into the collapsed bone in order to stabilize it. This restores the vertebra and helps to prevent further collapse.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines or dyes.
• Infection.
• Damage to other structures or organs.
• Need for another surgery.
• Bone cement leakage.
• Blood clots.
• Paralysis (rare).

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
• 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

Medicines

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines unless your health care provider tells you to take them.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
• You may need to take medicine to help make your bones stronger. This will help prepare you for the procedure.

General instructions

• Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
• Plan to have a responsible adult care for you for at least 24 hours after you leave the hospital or clinic. This is important.
• You may be asked to shower with a germ-killing soap.
• You may have an exam or testing.

What happens during the procedure?

• To lower your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
  • Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
• An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• You will lie face down for the procedure.
• A small cut (incision) will be made in the skin right above the fractured vertebra.
• A hollow needle will be inserted through the incision. An X-ray machine (fluoroscope) will be used to guide the needle to the fractured vertebra.
• Bone cement will be injected through the hollow needle into the fractured vertebra.
• A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the incision site.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.

Summary

• Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a procedure that is performed to treat collapsed bones (compression fractures) in the spine.
• Bone cement is injected into the collapsed bone to restore and prevent further collapse.
• You may need to take medicine to help make your bones stronger. This will help prepare you for the procedure.
• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic after the procedure.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Discomfort in your back at the site of the procedure.
• Immediate relief of the back pain, or pain relief over the next couple of days, as a result of the stabilized bone fracture.

Follow these instructions at home:

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
• Keep the dressing dry as told by your health care provider. Do not shower or bathe until your health care provider approves.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, apply ice to the affected area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• Rest for 24 hours after the procedure or as told by your health care provider.

Activity

• Do not bend or lift anything heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg). Follow your health care provider’s instructions about bending and lifting.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Slowly return to normal activities as told by your health care provider.
• Ask what type of stretching and strengthening exercises you should do after the procedure.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• To prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
  • Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
  • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
  • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have redness, swelling, or pain around your incision.
• You have fluid or blood coming from your incision.
• Your incision feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incision.
• You have a fever.
• You become nauseous or you vomit for more than 24 hours.
• Your back pain does not get better.

Get help right away if:

• You have sudden, severe back pain.
• You cannot control when you urinate or have a bowel movement.
• You have new tingling, numbness, or weakness in your legs or feet.
• You have sudden weakness in your arms or legs.
• You have shooting pain down your legs.
• You have chest pain, trouble breathing, or are short of breath.
• You feel dizzy or faint.
• You have changes in your speech or vision.

Summary

• After your procedure, it is common to have immediate relief of the back pain from the collapsed bones of the spine, or it may go away over the next couple of days.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.