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Minimally Invasive Treatments for Spinal Fractures
Minimally invasive treatments for back pain caused by spinal fractures are available at Orlando Health. Spinal fractures, also known as compression fractures, are often caused by osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weakened and are more likely to fracture. Compression fractures also can be caused by trauma from a fall or sports injury.
Spinal Fracture Symptoms
You may have a spinal fracture if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Sudden onset of back pain
- Pain worsens when standing or walking
- Lying on the back lessens the pain
- Height loss
- Difficulty bending or twisting
- Pain during coughing or sneezing
- Pain or numbness in the arms or legs
A spinal fracture can be diagnosed through appropriate diagnostic imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI.
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive outpatient procedures used to treat compression fractures. The goals of both procedures are to stabilize the spinal fracture and stop the back pain caused by the fracture.
In vertebroplasty, the interventional radiologist injects medical-grade liquid cement into the center of the vertebra to stabilize the fractured bone. The radiologist is guided by fluoroscope imaging (live X-rays) to accurately locate and treat the fracture while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue. As the cement solidifies, the broken bone is stabilized. The majority of patients experience immediate relief from their back pain.
Kyphoplasty is a similar procedure to treat a vertebra that has collapsed from the fracture. As with vertebroplasty, the radiologist uses X-ray imaging to inject a needle into the fractured vertebra. A balloon is then positioned into the collapsed vertebra and inflated to create a cavity for cement injection. The cement is injected into the cavity once the balloon is removed. Many patients feel immediate pain relief and are able to return to their normal activities within a few days.
Both procedures are available from interventional radiologists at Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) and Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital (DPH). For more information, call (321) 841-8104 (ORMC) or (321) 842-7604 (DPH).
