Two unique approaches to relieving spinal compression fractures.
Vertebral compression fractures can cause debilitating back pain that significantly impacts your quality of life, making simple activities like walking, sitting, or even lying down uncomfortable or impossible. These fractures often occur when weakened vertebrae collapse under normal stress, creating sharp pain, loss of height, and the characteristic hunched posture associated with severe spinal deformity. Traditional treatment approaches may provide limited relief for these complex fractures, leaving many patients searching for more effective solutions to restore their comfort and mobility.
Oasis Medical Group offers advanced minimally invasive procedures called vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty to treat vertebral compression fractures and provide significant pain relief for patients suffering from these challenging spinal conditions. Our medical team combines extensive experience in spine care with cutting-edge technology to help patients regain their mobility and return to the activities they enjoy. These innovative procedures can often be performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to recover in the comfort of your own home while experiencing dramatic improvements in pain and function.
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting medical-grade bone cement directly into fractured vertebrae to stabilize the bone and provide immediate pain relief. The procedure uses image guidance to ensure precise placement of the cement, which hardens quickly to create internal support for the collapsed vertebra. This stabilization process can significantly reduce pain while preventing further collapse of the affected vertebra and helping to maintain your spinal alignment.
Kyphoplasty is a similar but more advanced procedure that includes an additional step designed to restore vertebral height and correct spinal deformity. Before injecting the bone cement, the surgeon inserts a small balloon into the fractured vertebra and gently inflates it to create space and restore some of the lost height. The balloon is then removed, leaving a cavity that gets filled with bone cement under lower pressure, which reduces the risk of cement leakage and often provides better height restoration than vertebroplasty alone.
Vertebral compression fractures most commonly result from osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to fracture under normal stress or minor trauma. These osteoporotic fractures can occur spontaneously or from activities as simple as coughing, bending forward, or lifting light objects, making them particularly challenging for patients who want to maintain active lifestyles. The pain from these fractures can be severe and persistent, often limiting mobility and leading to further bone loss from decreased activity.
Cancer-related vertebral fractures represent another important application for these procedures, as tumors can weaken bone structure or metastasize to the spine, causing painful compression fractures. Multiple myeloma, breast cancer, lung cancer, and other malignancies frequently spread to the spine, creating fractures that may not heal properly with conservative treatment alone. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty can provide significant pain relief for cancer patients, improving their quality of life during treatment and recovery while helping them maintain mobility and independence.
Your vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedure begins with comprehensive evaluation including detailed imaging studies to assess your fractures and determine the best treatment approach for your specific situation. Our medical team reviews your medical history, current medications, and overall health status to ensure you’re a good candidate for the procedure. We explain the entire process in detail and answer any questions you may have about the treatment, recovery expectations, and potential risks or benefits.
The actual procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes and is usually performed under conscious sedation with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout the treatment. Using advanced imaging guidance, our surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a specialized needle through the back muscles into the fractured vertebra. For kyphoplasty, the balloon inflation step helps restore height before cement injection, while vertebroplasty involves direct cement placement. Most patients experience significant pain reduction within hours of the procedure and can often return home the same day.
Recovery from vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty is typically much faster than traditional surgical approaches, with most patients experiencing immediate improvement in their pain levels. You may need to rest for a day or two after the procedure, but many patients can resume normal activities within 24-48 hours. The bone cement provides immediate stability to the fractured vertebra, allowing you to move more comfortably while the surrounding tissues heal and adjust to the improved spinal alignment.
Long-term benefits of these procedures often include sustained pain relief, improved mobility, and prevention of further vertebral collapse in the treated area. Many patients report being able to return to activities they had given up due to pain, including walking longer distances, participating in social activities, and sleeping more comfortably. While the procedures don’t reverse all effects of osteoporosis or prevent future fractures in other vertebrae, they can significantly improve quality of life and may help prevent the progressive spinal deformity that often develops when compression fractures are left untreated. Our pain assessment tools help us monitor your progress and ensure optimal outcomes from your treatment.
When vertebral compression fractures are limiting your mobility and quality of life, our team at Oasis Medical Group provides advanced treatment options that can offer significant relief and improved function. We bring years of spine care experience to every aspect of your treatment, ensuring you receive safe, effective procedures tailored to your individual needs and health goals. Our convenient New Jersey locations make it easy to access these specialized spine treatments without traveling far from home, while our comprehensive approach ensures you receive the support you need throughout your recovery process.
Our experienced medical team stays current with the latest advances in minimally invasive spine procedures while maintaining the personalized care approach our patients have come to expect. We understand that dealing with vertebral fractures can be frightening and painful, which is why we’re committed to providing compassionate care that addresses both your physical symptoms and your concerns about the treatment process. Don’t let vertebral compression fractures continue to limit your life and activities. Call us at (844) 366-8800 or request an appointment online to learn more about vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty options that can help restore your comfort and mobility.
