Post-operative hospitalization
This surgery is performed as an outpatient and the patients will be discharged in 1 to 2 hours.
VERTEBROPLASTY
Vertebral Fractures
Vertebral compression fractures may occur due to osteoporosis, tumors, and accidents.
Vertebral body fracture is a fracture occurring in severely hollow vertebrae, which is associated with severe pain and disability.
In these patients, usual surgeries are rarely recommended because, in many cases, it leads to an extensive, complicated surgery.
Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a non-surgical therapy for strengthening the fractured vertebrae, where a special cement will be injected into the fractured vertebrae by a needle guided by imaging devices.
This treatment usually reduces the fracture-caused pain quickly and significantly.
Vertebroplasty is suitable for the patients
Who are too old and feeble to endure open vertebral surgery of those whose bones are very weak for vertebral reconstructive surgery.
Sometimes vertebroplasty surgery is useful for patients who suffer from vertebral destruction caused by malignant tumors. Meanwhile, all patients who have vertebral compression fractures and still suffer from sever pain and limitations in daily activities despite current treatments (bed rest, spinal corsets, and painkillers) can use this treatment.
The advantage of vertebroplasty to surgery
– No requirement for major surgery in elderly patients
– No requirement for general anesthesia
– No requirement for hospitalization, and patient discharge after 2 hours
– Pain relief in a short time (within 24-48 hours)
– Returning to daily activities in a short time
The procedure of the surgery
After local anesthesia in the area, the vertebroplasty needle will be percutaneously inserted into the fractured vertebral body guided by an imaging device.
After making sure of the proper position of the needle, the cement is injected into the fracture site. It completely hardens in 10 to 20 minutes. After cement injection, the needle will be removed and, then, the patient will be discharged after 2 hours of benign monitored.
Required preparations for surgery
– Pre-operative fasting for 1 to 2 hours
– A companion for doing the patients works
– Bringing the patients latest medical records
– Shaving the surgical site
Necessary examinations before and after vertebroplasty
First, the patient will be evaluated clinically. This evaluation includes diagnostic imaging and physical examination. If you have heart disease or diabetes, make sure to inform the doctor. If you are taking medications such as Asprin, Warfarin, and Plavix, notify your doctor.
Post-operative hospitalization
This surgery is performed as an outpatient and the patients will be discharged in 1 to 2 hours.
Necessary follow-up and actions after vertebroplasty
At discharge, the patient will be given painkillers and antibiotics.
In order to assess the success of the treatment after the surgery, X-ray, CT scan, or MRI will be performed at this center. The exact location and the amount of injected cement will be evaluated and, 2 to 3 weeks later, the patient will be examined by a doctor for clinical evaluation and improvement evaluation.