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Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, 80 percent of whom are women. Advanced age, asthma, diabetes, emphysema, menopause, chronic steroid use and rheumatoid arthritis are all risk factors for osteoporosis. The resultant weakening of bones can lead to compression fractures of the spine causing severe pain, deformity, loss of height, immobilization, and in some cases, failure to thrive.

One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime.1 Because it progresses so slowly, many patients don’t realize they have the disease until a bone fractures. Pain can come on suddenly, even after a simple activity like a sneeze or a cough, and is often debilitating. If the pain lasts for an extended period of time, there tends to be a downward spiral effect, impacting the physical, social, and psychological aspects of a patient’s life. Many patients go undiagnosed, assuming the pain is just part of aging.

According to estimated figures from the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the disease was responsible for 547,000 vertebral fractures in 2005. Historically, vertebral compression fractures have been treated either conservatively or with major surgery. These treatments are limited by long recovery times and disruption of daily life.

These painful spine fractures can be treated with a procedure known as vertebroplasty, an innovative alternative to traditional treatments. The procedure was first performed in France in 1984 by French radiologists and was incorporated into the standard of care in the United States a few years ago. The procedure stabilizes spine fractures safely and effectively, often providing immediate pain relief within 24-48 hours.

With vertebroplasty, a patient can experience excellent pain relief very quickly with minimal risks since it is typically performed on an outpatient basis.

The beauty of this procedure is its simplicity. Local anesthetic is used to numb the area being treated. After a small incision is made, a needle is advanced into the fracture and cancerous bone. Bone cement with opacifier is then injected into the fractured area. The cement hardens in about 15 minutes, filling the space within the bone, strengthening the vertebrae and stabilizing the micromotion of the spine — and remarkably the pain is gone.

After two weeks of conservative treatment, most patients who still experience pain are typically referred for cement augmentation or vertebroplasty. This is because prolonged use of conservative techniques such as bed rest can cause severe issues for older adults: blood clots, muscle and bone weakness and mental depression. There are procedures, such as kyphoplasty, that bring similar results as vertebroplasty; however, they require general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay.

Case studies from well know physicians such as Kevin McGraw, MD, from Riverside Radiology in Ohio have shown patients who undergo vertebroplasty experience 90 percent or better reduction in pain within 24 hours and increased ability to perform daily activities soon thereafter.

“The vertebroplasty procedure was so easy,” said Shelby Brewer, 69, who has osteoporosis and fractured a vertebra when she fell. “This procedure is absolutely wonderful. It would have taken four or five months on heavy pain medication for me to heal without it. I can’t say enough about what it did for me.”

The medical evaluation includes a physical exam and diagnostic tests such as x-rays, MRI, and bone scans used to pinpoint the location of the fracture and determine which treatment is appropriate. Most of our referrals come from neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and primary care physicians including geriatrics.

I advise those who experience severe back pain to schedule an evaluation with their primary care physician to determine if they are suffering from a vertebral compression fracture. Early diagnosis is very important to long-term patient health. To learn more about vertebroplasty, visit www.vertebroplasty.com.


Dr. Richard Kinard is with North Florida Radiology which covers North Florida Regional Medical Center, Lake City Regional Medical Center and outpatient offices in Gainesville, Palatka and Lake City. He has treated over 500 patients with Vertebroplasty since incorporating this procedure into his practice.

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