Vertebral Augmentation Procedure

Vertebral augmentation is an outpatient procedure where the vertebral body or sacrum is stabilized with orthopedic cement through a simple needle access placed into the bone, through the back. The physician will create space in the bone before the cement is injected, making the procedure extremely safe.

Another treatment option is SpineJack, a device from Stryker that was recently approved by the FDA. Depending on the site of the fracture, or if there is significant deformity of the fractured vertebrae, SpineJack may be used to restore the original shape of the vertebral body prior to the injection of the cement.

Sacral augmentation is one treatment option for sacral insufficiency fractures. The fractured osteoporotic bone is injected with a medical cement through a small needle access. This procedure is performed on one or both sides of the sacrum.

Patients who receive treatment for a vertebral compression fracture will also be medically treated for their low bone density with bisphosphonate or anabolic bone medications, as published literature shows that patients who are medically treated after a vertebral compression fracture have a 40% to 70% reduction in the incidence of new fractures.

Learn more: https://www.riaendovascular.com/services/vertebral-augmentation/ (image: stryker.com)