You are here:About>Health>Back & Neck Pain> Back and Neck Surgery> Back and Neck Surgery FAQ> Kyphoplasty Vertebroplasty> Vertebroplasty - What is a Percutaneous Vertebroplasty?
About.comBack & Neck Pain
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg

Q. What is Vertebroplasty?

From Anne Asher,
Your Guide to Back & Neck Pain.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
A.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive surgery for compression fractures.

To stabilize crushed vertebrae, a cement (made from acrylic) is injected into the vertebra.

Vertebroplasty is effective in relieving pain, probably because of the added mechanical support provided to the spine. The cementing of the bone gives stability. It is estimated that approximately 90% of patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty experience immediate pain relief.

Updated: March 25, 2008
About.com is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation, which promotes reliable and trusted online health information.
 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
More from About, Inc.: Calorie Count Plus | UCompareHealthCare
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Corrections | Privacy Policy
©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.