Understanding Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

In osteoporosis bones become weak and prone to collapse particularly in the spine Minor trauma or even normal daily activities can cause vertebral compression fractures leading to sudden severe back pain height loss and kyphotic posture although many fractures heal with rest and medicines some remain very painful and limit mobility despite weeks of conservative treatment

What Are Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures that stabilise fractured vertebrae by injecting bone cement into the collapsed bone under imaging guidance Vertebroplasty involves direct injection of cement into the vertebral body while kyphoplasty first uses a balloon to create a cavity and partially restore height before cement injection Both aim to reduce pain improve spine stability and allow patients to stand and walk more comfortably

Indications and Timing

These procedures are considered for confirmed osteoporotic compression fractures that remain painful after a period of appropriate conservative care typically several weeks and in which imaging confirms an active fracture with no major canal compromise Careful assessment rules out other causes of pain such as malignancy severe spinal stenosis or infection and ensures that cement injection is unlikely to worsen neural compression

How the Procedures Are Performed

Under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia the patient lies on the operating table and the vertebral level is identified with fluoroscopy or computed tomography A needle is passed through the pedicle or posterolateral route into the vertebral body and once position is confirmed bone cement is slowly injected during vertebroplasty In kyphoplasty a balloon is inserted through the needle inflated to create a cavity and sometimes restore some height then removed and cement is injected into the created space The cement hardens rapidly stabilising micro movements at the fracture site which often leads to prompt pain relief

Outcomes and Safety

Studies show that both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty can provide good pain relief and functional improvement in carefully selected patients with osteoporotic compression fractures with similar overall clinical outcomes Kyphoplasty may better restore vertebral height in cases with more than thirty percent collapse while vertebroplasty is often chosen for less severe deformities Risks include cement leakage new fractures in adjacent vertebrae and rare neural or vascular complications which are mitigated by proper patient selection imaging guidance and experienced operators

Why Choose Livasa Hospitals for Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Livasa Hospitals provide vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty through teams that include spine surgeons and interventional radiologists with access to advanced imaging suites and post procedure monitoring These services are integrated with osteoporosis clinics so that patients across Punjab not only receive pain relief but also long term management of bone health to reduce the risk of future fractures

Livasa Hospitals Punjab Network Contact

Livasa Healthcare Group Network of Multi speciality Hospitals in Punjab
Corporate Office Phase 8 Industrial Area Sector 73 Punjab 160071 India