Minimally invasive options for treating compression fractures

Compression Fracture Treatment

Compression fractures, often caused by osteoporosis or spinal injuries, can be extremely painful and limit mobility. When conservative treatments do not provide relief, minimally invasive procedures such as vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and the spine jack procedure can effectively restore vertebral body height and reduce pain. These treatments are performed by interventional radiologists and can offer significant pain relief, often allowing patients to return to normal activities shortly after the procedure.

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About Compression Fracture Treatment

Compression fractures occur when a vertebra in the spine collapses, often due to osteoporosis, trauma, or tumors. These fractures can cause severe pain, limit mobility, and lead to spinal deformities if not treated effectively. If conservative treatments like rest, pain medication, or physical therapy fail to relieve symptoms, minimally invasive procedures such as vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and the spine jack procedure offer effective alternatives.

Vertebroplasty involves injecting medical-grade bone cement directly into the collapsed vertebra through a small hollow tube. This stabilizes the fracture and relieves pain. Kyphoplasty adds a step by using a balloon inserted into the fractured vertebra to create space and restore some of the lost height before the cement is injected. The spine jack procedure is another advanced option where a small jack-like device is inserted to elevate the collapsed vertebra, followed by cement injection to maintain the restored height. Each procedure is performed under imaging guidance, ensuring precision and maximizing the treatment’s effectiveness.

These treatments are done through one or two small incisions in the back, typically on an outpatient basis, allowing most patients to go home the same day. By providing rapid pain relief and stabilizing the spine, these procedures help improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of further spinal complications.

Conditions Treated with Compression Fracture Treatments

The minimally invasive procedures for compression fractures are used to treat conditions such as:

Vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis
Fractures due to spinal tumors or multiple myeloma
Traumatic spinal injuries
Degenerative conditions that lead to vertebral collapse

These treatments are particularly beneficial for patients who experience significant pain and reduced mobility and have not found relief through conservative management.

Benefits and Effectiveness of Compression Fracture Treatments

The minimally invasive treatments for compression fractures offer several benefits, including:

Significant Pain Relief: Most patients experience substantial pain reduction shortly after the procedure.
Minimally Invasive: These procedures require only small incisions, reducing the risks and recovery time associated with traditional surgery.
Improved Mobility: By stabilizing the fractured vertebrae, these treatments help restore mobility and allow for a quicker return to daily activities.
Prevents Further Complications: Techniques like kyphoplasty and spine jack can restore vertebral height, reducing the risk of spinal deformities.

Risks

While these procedures are generally safe, there are some risks, including:

Infection at the incision site
Bleeding or bruising
Increased back pain or discomfort
Nerve damage (very rare)
Cement leakage into surrounding tissues (rare)

Your healthcare provider will discuss these risks with you and determine the best treatment option based on your condition and medical history.

Contact Us About Compression Fracture Treatment

If you are suffering from a compression fracture and conservative treatments have not been effective, our minimally invasive procedures like vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and spine jack may provide the relief you need. Contact our radiology team in Southwest Florida, Cape Coral, or Fort Myers to schedule a consultation and learn more about these effective treatments.

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