Download Vertebroplasty

CVIR Vertebroplasty Brochure
8/19/04
1:21 PM
Page 1
Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
at Inova Alexandria Hospital
Osteoporosis and Spinal Fractures
What Is Osteoporsis?
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones
become thin and fragile. It is called a “silent
disease,” because bone loss occurs without
symptoms. People may not know they have
osteoporosis until their bones become so weak
that a simple strain, twist of the body, bump or
fall causes a bone fracture. Fractures may occur in
the hip, wrist, ribs or elsewhere, but one of the
more common sites is in the vertebrae, the
bones that make up the spinal column. The
pain and loss of movement that often
accompany bone fractures of the spine are
perhaps the most feared and debilitating side
effects of osteoporosis. For many people with
osteoporosis, a spinal fracture means severely
limited activity, constant pain and a serious
reduction in the quality of their lives.
How Common Are Spinal Fractures
Caused by Osteoporosis?
There are 10 million people in the United
States who suffer from osteoporosis and
another 28 million with thinning bones that
put them at risk for fractures. Eighty percent
of those who are at risk and affected by the
disease are women. Osteoporosis causes more
than 1.5 million fractures a year, of which
700,000 are spinal (vetebral) fractures.
Who Is at Risk?
Researchers estimate that at least 25 percent of
women and a somewhat smaller percentage of men
over the age of 50 will suffer one or more spinal
fractures.Younger people also suffer these fractures,
particularly those whose bones have become fragile
due to the long-term use of steroids or other drugs
to treat a variety of diseases such as lupus, asthma
and rheumatoid arthritis. Significant risk has been
reported in all ethnic groups, and while osteoporosis is
most common in old age, it can occur at any time.
Factors that increase the likelihood of developing
osteoporosis include:
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being female
being thin or having a small frame
advanced age
a family history of osteoporosis
being past menopause
abnormal absence of menstrual periods
anorexia or bulimia
a diet low in calcium
long-term use of medications such as
corticosteroids or anticonvulsants
• lack of exercise
• smoking
• excessive use of alcohol
Treatment Options
How Are Spinal Fractures Treated?
Fractures of the vertebrae have traditionally been
much more difficult to manage than broken bones in
the hip, wrist or elsewhere that can often be treated
successfully with surgery. Surgery on the spine has
typically not been used to treat vertebral fractures
associated with osteoporosis, except as a last resort.
Until recently, reduced activity and pain medications
were virtually the only treatments available. For those
patients who have unresolved pain, there is a safe,
non-surgical minimally invasive treatment called
vertebroplasty (ver-TEE-bro-plasty) that offers new
hope. Studies show that about 90 percent of people
treated with vertebroplasty have complete or
significant reduction of their pain.
Inova Alexandria Hospital is
located 4 blocks east of I-395
at 4320 Seminary Road.
N
Inova Health System is a not-forprofit health care system based in
Northern Virginia that consists of
hospitals and other health services
including emergency and urgent
care centers, home care, nursing
homes, mental health and blood
donor services, and wellness classes.
Governed by a voluntary board
of community members, Inova’s
mission is to provide quality care
and improve the health of the
diverse communities we serve.
www.inova.org
G22399/6-04/1,000
Reprinted with permission of the
Society of Interventional Radiology
© 2003, www.SIRweb.org
4320 Seminary Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22304
703-504-3000
Vertebroplasty
Treating Spinal Fractures
Without Surgery
CVIR Vertebroplasty Brochure
8/19/04
1:21 PM
Page 2
Vertebroplasy
percent loss of height in the bone. Gradually, the back
hunches over and the person loses height, especially if
several vertebrae are involved.Vertebroplasty cannot
reverse this loss of height or kyphosis (often called
“widow’s hump”) in individuals who already have
these conditions.
What Is Vertebroplasty?
In the procedure, a needle is inserted through the
skin and into the collapsed vertebrae. A special bone
cement used for medical purposes (called polymethylmethacrylate) is injected into the bone to
stabilize it. Often, more than one fractured vertebrae
can be treated in a single procedure. Open surgery
is not required because the interventional
radiologist is able to guide the needle to the spot
using special X-ray equipment.
Vertebroplasty takes from one to two hours to
perform, depending on how many bones are
treated. Usually, the procedure may be
performed with mild sedation and local
anesthetic that numbs the treated area.
Some patients experience immediate pain relief
after vertebroplasty. Most report that their pain
is gone or significantly better within 48 hours.
Many people can resume normal daily activities
within hours to days after treatment.
What Are the Risks or
Complications?
Vertebroplasty is a very safe procedure with few
risks. Complications are rare and should be
discussed with your doctor. As with any medical
procedure, the possibility of complications will
depend on the individual patient. For example,
patients with tumors in the spine or with other
serious medical conditions may be at higher risk
for complications from vertebroplasty.Your
interventional radiologist will work closely with
your primary care doctor to be sure you receive
the best possible care.
Who Is a Candidate for Vertebroplasty?
People who have suffered recent fractures that are
causing severe back pain despite standard therapy with
rest and pain medications are the best candidates for
vertebroplasty. Older fractures may be treated, but the
procedure is most successful if it is performed within one
year of when the fracture occurs.The procedure is not
used to treat arthritis or herniated disks.
Will Vertebroplasty Treat or Prevent Loss of
Height or “Widow’s Hump?”
After a vertebra has fractured, there is typically a loss of
only 20 to 30 percent of the height of the bone. But
over several weeks, fractures may reoccur and the
vertebra flattens out, until eventually there is a 70 to 90
Some studies suggest that early treatment of spinal
fractures with vertebroplasty can strengthen the spine
and improve the posture, which may help prevent
further fractures that lead to height loss or kyphosis.
Currently, however, there is no evidence to prove that
the procedure will prevent these problems. However,
new research on the horizon is looking at ways to
solve these problems.
How Long Does Vertebroplasty Take?
The length of time for the procedure depends on the
number of vertebra being treated. However,
vertebroplasty usually takes from one to two hours.
Is Vertebroplasty Painful?
Vertebroplasty is not painful. It usually is performed
with mild sedation and local anesthesia. In some cases,
a patient may be given general anesthesia. Most
patients report that their pain is gone or significantly
improved within 48 hours of the procedure. Others
experience immediate relief following the procedure.
Pain Relief
Cardiovascular and
Interventional Radiology at
Inova Alexandria Hospital
Inova Alexandria Hospital’s Cardiovascular and
Interventional Radiology program treats a
variety of medical conditions without
traditional surgery.
Our nationally recognized, board-certified
interventional radiologists perform minimally
invasive procedures using small incisions, tiny
instruments and imaging techniques.These
procedures are generally less traumatic to
patients than surgery, and result in less pain
and shorter hospital stays.
Our interventional radiologists performed
the first peripheral and renal angioplasty and
stent placement in Northern Virginia. Our
team also performed the first abdominal
aortic stent-graft in Northern Virginia.
They were some of the first doctors in the
Mid-Atlantic region to perform uterine
fibroid embolization (UFE), and have one of
the largest and most successful UFE programs
in the country.
Our interventional radiologists are experts at
treating varicose veins, peripheral vascular
disease (PVD), spinal bone fractures, abdominal
aortic aneurysms and stroke. Each year they
perform thousands of procedures. For more
information, call 703-504-7950 or visit
www.inova.org.
For more information or
to make an appointment, call
703-504-7950.
CVIR Vertebroplasty Brochure
8/19/04
1:21 PM
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