Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Typically, vertebroplasty is recommended after conservative treatments, such as bed rest, a back brace or pain medication, have been ineffective. Vertebroplasty involves injecting a cement mixture into the empty spaces within weakened vertebrae to strengthen them and provide pain relief

A clinical evaluation including diagnostic imaging, blood tests, a physical examination, spine x-rays and a radioisotope bone scan or magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging with special sequences will be done to confirm the presence of a compression fracture that may benefit from treatment with vertebroplasty.

In vertebroplasty, the area of the skin through which the hollow needle will be inserted, will be shaved, sterilized and covered with a surgical drape. A local anaesthetic is then injected into the muscles under the skin, near the fracture. A very small cut (2 mm) is made in the skin at the site. Using x-ray image guidance, the needle is passed through the spinal muscles until its tip is precisely positioned within the fractured bone and cement is injected. Image guided X-rays will be performed at the end of the procedure to check the distribution of the cement. The needle is removed and the opening in the skin is covered with a bandage. No sutures are needed. This procedure is usually completed within one hour. It may take longer if more than one vertebral body level is being treated. Pain relief is immediate for some patients. In others, pain is eliminated or reduced within two days. Pain resulting from the procedure will typically diminish within two weeks.

Vertebroplasty is successful at alleviating the pain caused by a vertebral compression fracture; many patients feel significant relief almost immediately. Many patients become symptom-free which can increase a patient’s functional abilities. These procedures usually require – No surgical incision —only a small cut in the skin that does not have to be stitched closed. Any procedure where the skin is penetrated carries a risk of infection. The chance of infection requiring antibiotic treatment appears to be less than one in 1,000. Mr Shabin Joshi have been involved in one of the largest series of patients for vertebroplasty. This was presented to both national and international meetings including the World Federation of Neurosurgical Society at Boston, USA, 2009.

Mr Shabin Joshi offer this surgery privately at Spire Leicester Hospital. They can be contacted for an appointment via their secretary on 0116 2653014 or their P.A. Mrs Anita Vicars on 07506 845310. If you would like to discuss a particular patient, Mr Amit can be reached on 07462422303 and Mr Joshi can be contacted on 07719 820567.