FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PERCUTANEOUS ACRYLIC VERTEBROPLASTY

Is a non-surgical minimally invasive image guided procedure in which a trocar is introduced into the fractured or collapsed vertebral body caused by osteoporosis, in which acrilyc cement is injected into the crushed bone; and once the cement sets up, pain relief is often immediate. .
This technique is also used to treat some other diseases of the spinal column: Multyple Myeloma, Lymphoma, Hemangioma and spine metastasis.

The introducction of orthopedic cement was first used in 1970 by Dr. Charnley in the USA, Percutaneous acrilyc vertebroplasty was first introduced in france in 1970 by Dr. Deramond,in the USA in 1993 by Dr. Dion, and in Mexico in 1998,and is currently performed in a few hospitals in this country.

Before the introducction of Percutaneous acrilyc vertebroplasty, the options for the management of patients with painful collapsed vertebral bodies caused by osteoporosis, consisted in bed rest, analgesics, corsets and some other symptomatic measures, because open surgery had poor results on account of general patient conditions. With the introducction of this novel technique, patients that undergo this procedure recover from pain in a few hours and are able to resume daily activities very soon.

OBJECTIVES OF PERCUTANEOUS ACRYLIC VERTEBROPLASTY

  The purpose of this technique:
I.-Reduce or eliminate pain ( 80-90%)

2.-Prevent further spinal deformity

3.-Improve general patient conditions

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR PERCUTANEOUS ACRYLIC VERTEBROPLASTY?

This technique can be used in men and women who suffer from acute or chronic back pain that do not respond to conventional measures and whose vertebral fractures causes persistent pain and functional disability.

WHERE IS PERCUTANEOUS ACRYLIC VERTEBROPLASTY PERFORMED?

This procedure is performed in an O.R. under local anesthetic and mild sedation in most cases, in special situations general anesthesia is administered. The patient is always under continuos monitoring by an anesthesiologist.

WHAT IS THE MEDICAL PRE-PROCEDURE EVALUATION?

The evaluation includes a directed history and physical examination ,blood tests,Magnetic Resonance studies,some patients requiere bone scan.