VERTEBROPLASTY
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for treating compression fractures of the vertebral bodies of the spine. The physician uses image guidance to introduce a hollow needle through the skin and into the affected vertebrae. A cement mixture is then injected into the bone resulting in stabilization of the fracture and therefore, decreases a patient's initial pain. This is an outpatient procedure and is performed at the hospital under IV sedation and local anesthetic.