Treatment Options
Treatment Options: Vertebral Augmentation
VCFs are commonly treated with non-operative conservative measures aimed at reducing pain – bed rest, analgesics, muscle relaxants, back braces, and physical therapy.[1][2]
Stryker Interventional Spine offers multiple options for vertebroplasty and vertebral augmentation, complementary techniques widely used to treat the intense pain caused by VCFs in patients who fail to respond to conservative therapies.[1][2] Both are minimally invasive procedures that involve the intraosseous injection of acrylic cement under local anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance to control the pain of VCFs associated with osteoporosis and tumors such as multiple myeloma and metastases. The “set” or hardened cement stabilizes the fracture, relieving pain.[2][3]
Vertebral augmentation is a refinement of vertebroplasty in that it uses a balloon catheter to create a void in the collapsed vertebra, helping to allow for controlled and contained cement delivery.
Clinical results for both vertebral augmentation and vertebroplasty show substantial pain relief [4][5] in approximately 90% of patients[1][4] and significantly improved quality of life.[4][6]
Multiple clinical studies have shown that vertebral augmentation and vertebroplasty have a high success rate [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] and a low complication rate.[9][10][12]
These minimally invasive procedures decrease pain and increase mobility in 90% of patients within 24-48 hours.[7][9]They have well-established safety records and are typically covered by Medicare and most private insurers.
