A Minimally Invasive Treatment for Painful Spine Fractures
Sudden or persistent back pain—especially after a minor fall or in older adults—may be due to a spinal (vertebral) compression fracture.
Vertebral augmentation is a minimally invasive procedure that stabilizes the fractured bone, reduces pain, and helps patients return to daily activities without major spine surgery.
Vertebral augmentation is a non-surgical, image-guided treatment used to stabilize a fractured vertebra (spinal bone) by injecting medical bone cement into it.
Common types include:
This treatment helps by:
No open surgery
Small needle entry
Day-care procedure
Fast pain relief
Vertebral augmentation is done for painful vertebral compression fractures that do not improve with rest or medicines.
Common causes include:
Symptoms may include:
The procedure is performed by a trained specialist using X-ray or CT guidance.
Step-by-step procedure:
Vertebral augmentation is generally very safe when done by experienced specialists.
Possible risks with approximate incidence include:
Treatment options depend on:
Your clinician will help you choose the most appropriate option.
Alternative 1: Conservative Treatment (Medicines and Back Brace)
Alternative 2: Tumor Ablation with Cement Stabilization
Choosing the Right Spine Treatment
While conservative care may work for some patients, minimally invasive image-guided procedures can provide faster pain relief and spinal stability, especially in fractures caused by tumors.
📌 Vertebral augmentation is considered when pain is severe or not improving with conservative care.
Recovery is usually fast and smooth.
After vertebral augmentation:
Most patients report significant improvement in pain and mobility.
Vertebral augmentation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat painful spinal (vertebral) compression fractures by stabilizing the bone with medical cement, helping reduce pain and improve movement.
Vertebral augmentation is recommended for patients with:
No. It is not open surgery. It is a needle-based procedure performed under imaging guidance, without cuts or stitches.
Most patients experience significant pain relief (80–90%), often within hours to a few days after the procedure.
Many patients feel improvement within 24–72 hours, while some notice relief almost immediately.
Yes. When performed by experienced specialists, vertebral augmentation is safe and well established, with serious complications being rare.
Both are types of vertebral augmentation.
Your doctor will decide the best option for you.
The procedure is done under local anesthesia and light sedation, so pain during the procedure is minimal. Some soreness afterward is temporary.
Recovery is fast. Most patients:
No. It treats the fracture-related pain, not osteoporosis. Long-term osteoporosis treatment is important to prevent future fractures.
Risks are uncommon and usually mild, such as temporary pain or minor cement leakage. Serious complications are very rare.
Most procedures are done as day-care, with discharge the same day or after overnight observation.
It stabilizes the treated fracture but does not prevent new fractures. Osteoporosis management and lifestyle changes are essential.
Yes. It is especially beneficial for elderly patients with painful osteoporotic spine fractures who are not fit for major surgery.
You should seek evaluation if:
Rapid pain relief
Minimally invasive
No open spine surgery
Short hospital stay
Early return to daily activities
Proven treatment for compression fractures
If back pain from a spinal fracture is affecting your mobility and quality of life, you don’t have to suffer in silence.
