The new method, the cement stabilization (vertebroplasty / kyphoplasty) that may be used in your case, is an alternative to the classical treatment methods mentioned above. Although several thousand patients have already been successfully treated in Germany, this treatment method is still considered experimental.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a technique for stabilizing vertebral bodies by injecting bone cement. This technique was first described in 1987 by Gallibert and Deramont in France.
Technique of percutaneous vertebroplasty / kyphoplasty:
Vertebroplasty / kyphoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia (local anesthesia) with mild sedation using modern imaging techniques such as computed tomography and fluoroscopy.
For intervention you are stored in a special prone position on the tomograph table and after usual preparation and sterile coverage of the surgical field, the procedure can be started. After local anesthesia of the skin, the musculature and the small vertebral joints, the special vertebroplasty cannula is gently placed under image control in the fractured vertebral body and after another
Control, a small amount of contrast agent is first injected into the vertebral body to detect later bone cement distribution patterns. Then we prepare the special bone cement intended for vertebroplasty and gently inject about 3-5 ml into the porous fractured vertebral body. Cement injection is under continuous imaging. As a result, the distribution of the cement in the vertebral body can be monitored and the outlet can be reacted immediately. The cement achieves an approx. 90% consolidation after a few minutes. The 100% consolidation will be achieved 24 hours later.
Vertebroplasty usually prevents further collapse of the previously fractured vertebral body. Today, we assume that the pain is caused by the collapse of the porous bone and the resulting instability of the vertebral body. Therefore, in our experience, a short time after the cement injection and after hardening of the cement by the "internal" stabilization of the bone, a clear improvement in the symptoms, whereby in 80 - 90% of cases a significant pain reduction and thus improved Mobilization is achieved.
In the case of kyphoplasty, a special balloon catheter is used to raise the vertebral body slightly lower before cement injection. Kyphoplasty is usually more invasive and therefore more complicated compared to vertebroplasty. The pain reduction by stabilization of the vertebral body is achieved in both cases equal.
Whether vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty is used on you, we decide before treatment in the context of the discussion.
