Kevin Macadaeg, MD

When osteoporosis results in a fractured vertebra, called vertebral compression fractures (VCF), a patient can have persistent pain.  This pain may interfere with normal activities.  Fortunately, there are treatment options.  The goals of treatment are to reduce the back pain, and to stabilize and strengthen the vertebral body reducing the risk for additional fractures.

In the treatment of patients, there are a few minimally invasive spine treatment options available.  Treatment recommendations are made based upon the patient’s specific medical needs.

One treatment option is vertebroplasty.  During this procedure, specially formulated bone cement is injected through a hollow-needle (that is guided by X-ray imaging) directly into the fractured vertebra.  This creates an internal cast that stabilizes the bone. 

Another treatment option is called balloon kyphoplasty.  With this procedure, orthopaedic balloons are used to lift the fractured bone and return it to the correct position.   

Both of these procedures can be done on an outpatient basis.  Patient’s are either awake with conscious sedation or are given a general anesthesia.  The procedures take approximately an hour to 90-minutes.