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Vertebroplasty
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is vertebroplasty safe:
Vertebroplasty is quite safe with minimal risks. As in all surgical
procedures, there is always some risk involved, but in the hands of an experienced physician complications of vertebroplasty
are extremely rare.
What is PMMA?
PMMA, or polymethylmethacrylate is a bone cement which has been
used for approximately 30 years in hip and knee replacements. Vertebroplasty is simply a new usage of commonly
utilized material.
Why are women more prone to osteoporosis and compression fractures?
Even at their peak, about the age of 21, women tend to have less
bone mass then men; this is primarily due to the fact that they are generally smaller framed. After menopause,
women stop producing estrogen; the loss of this hormone escalates the progression of bone loss.
What type of pain do compression fractures cause?
Generally there is tenderness at the site of the fracture with
pain running in a belt-like fashion around the torso at the level. Pain usually worsens with activity, and improves
with rest. Compression fracture pain does not radiate down the arms and legs.
Vertebroplasty is not effective in treating discs or pain
from degenerative spine disease.
A New Alternative:
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive treatment for spinal compression
fractures. By placing small needles through the skin, into the fractured vertebra, and injecting bone cement, the
fractured vertebra is strengthened, preventing further collapse and relieving pain caused by the fracture.
Compression fractures commonly occur in people with:
- Osteoporosis (age related or from prolonged steroid use)
- Direct trauma to the spine
- Systematic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Hemangiomas
- Metastic disease
- Giant cell tumors
Osteoporosis, the leading cause of compression fractures, affects
over 10 million people in the U.S. alone (about 67% being women). As osteoporosis progresses, the honeycomb-like
structure of bone tissue fails to re-build, and the bone weakens. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation,
over 700,000 compression fractures occur each year. While some fractures will stabilize on their own, sometimes
the pain persists, this is likely because the crushed bone continues to move and re-breaks. Until now, there has
been little physicians could do to relieve the debilitating pain caused by compression fractures.
Options available to treat compression fractures:
- Anti-inflammatories
- Steroid injections
- Bracing
- Calcium and Vitamin D supplements
- Orthopedic reconstruction
- Vertebroplasty
Please Call
us TODAY at 727-791-7300 if you have any questions.
We're looking forward to helping you .
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