Vertebroplasty in New Brunswick

Vertebroplasty at our New Brunswick, NJ location stabilizes painful vertebral compression fractures using a minimally invasive bone cement technique, bringing rapid, effective fracture care to Central New Jersey patients.

A Vertebral Compression Fracture Needs Prompt Attention, Not Just Rest

Vertebral compression fractures produce some of the most acutely severe spinal pain a patient can experience, and unlike many spine conditions, waiting them out is rarely the right answer. Left untreated, they can worsen progressively, leading to spinal deformity, chronic pain, and meaningful loss of mobility and independence. Vertebroplasty stabilizes the fracture directly through a minimally invasive procedure that is typically completed in about an hour and often delivers meaningful relief within 48 hours.

At Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute, New Brunswick patients with compression fractures receive prompt evaluation and expert care from a team committed to restoring function as quickly as possible. Contact our New Brunswick office today to schedule an evaluation and find out whether Vertebroplasty is right for you.

What Is Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty, also called percutaneous vertebroplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure in which medical-grade bone cement is injected directly into a fractured vertebra under fluoroscopic imaging guidance. The cement fills the fracture, stabilizes the collapsed bone, and hardens quickly, eliminating the painful micro-motion between bone fragments that drives the severe pain these fractures produce.

How Vertebroplasty Works

With the patient lying face down, the skin overlying the fractured vertebra is cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic. A specialized needle is advanced through the skin and into the fractured vertebral body under continuous fluoroscopic guidance. Once correctly positioned, bone cement is carefully injected under controlled pressure, distributing through the fractured bone and hardening within minutes to create immediate structural stabilization. The needle is removed, and the small skin puncture is dressed. Most patients are discharged the same day.

Vertebroplasty Versus Kyphoplasty

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty treat the same condition through similar mechanisms. Kyphoplasty first inflates a small balloon inside the fractured vertebra to create a cavity and attempt partial height restoration before cement is injected. Vertebroplasty injects cement directly without the balloon step. Both are effective, and the choice depends on the specific characteristics of the fracture, including its age, severity, and degree of vertebral collapse. Our New Brunswick team will evaluate your imaging carefully and recommend the most appropriate approach for your situation.

We’re here to help you move forward.

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Conditions Treated With Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures caused by:

Osteoporosis, the most common underlying cause of compression fractures in adults
Spinal trauma or injury producing an acute vertebral fracture
Pathologic fractures caused by spinal tumors, including metastatic cancer and multiple myeloma
Fractures that have not healed adequately with conservative management over time

It is most effective for fractures that are relatively recent, typically within a few weeks to a few months of onset, and for patients whose pain correlates clearly with the fracture site on imaging.

Are You a Candidate for Vertebroplasty in New Brunswick?

Good candidates have a confirmed vertebral compression fracture on imaging, significant pain that has not responded adequately to rest and conservative care, and a fracture that is sufficiently recent to be amenable to cement stabilization. Vertebroplasty may not be appropriate for fractures that are very old and fully healed, for patients with severe neurological compromise from retropulsion of bone into the spinal canal, or for those with active infection or allergy to the cement material. Significant spinal canal narrowing at the fracture site also requires careful evaluation before proceeding. Timing matters considerably with compression fractures, and prompt evaluation is important. Our New Brunswick team will review your imaging and medical history thoroughly to determine whether vertebroplasty is appropriate and whether it should be performed without delay.

What to Expect From Vertebroplasty in New Brunswick

Vertebroplasty is a straightforward outpatient procedure with a predictable and comfortable recovery for most patients.

Before Your Vertebroplasty

Your consultation will include a detailed review of your symptoms, imaging, and medical history, including any blood-thinning medications or health conditions requiring pre-procedure management. Our team will explain the procedure clearly, outline realistic expectations for pain relief, and answer all questions before proceeding.

The Day of Your Surgery

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation for comfort and typically takes approximately one hour, though treating multiple fractures in the same session may take longer. Fluoroscopic imaging guides precise needle placement throughout. Most New Brunswick patients are discharged the same day.

Recovering After Your Procedure

Most patients experience meaningful pain relief within 24 to 48 hours as the cement stabilizes the fracture and eliminates the painful motion at the fracture site. Some soreness at the needle insertion site is normal for one to two days and resolves quickly. There are no major activity restrictions following vertebroplasty, though your care team will provide specific guidance based on the underlying cause of your fracture and overall bone health. For patients with osteoporosis, addressing bone density through medication and lifestyle measures is an essential part of preventing future fractures, and our team will discuss this as part of your broader care plan.

Why Choose Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute?

Vertebral compression fractures are time-sensitive, and the quality of care a patient receives in the weeks following a fracture significantly affects their long-term trajectory. Our New Brunswick team approaches these cases with urgency and clinical thoroughness, ensuring patients receive an accurate diagnosis, a prompt recommendation, and a procedure performed with the precision that produces the best outcomes.

For patients with osteoporosis-related fractures, we also address the underlying bone health picture as part of a complete, long-term care plan. That comprehensive approach is now available to Central New Jersey patients close to home.

Vertebroplasty Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly does vertebroplasty relieve pain?

Many patients notice meaningful improvement within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure as the bone cement stabilizes the fracture. Some patients experience relief almost immediately, while others notice gradual improvement over a few days as residual inflammation at the fracture site subsides.

Is the procedure painful?

Vertebroplasty is performed under local anesthesia and mild sedation, so most patients experience little to no significant pain during the procedure itself. Some soreness at the needle insertion point is normal for a day or two following the appointment and typically resolves without specific treatment.

Can vertebroplasty be performed on more than one fracture at a time?

Yes. When multiple compression fractures are present and symptomatic, vertebroplasty can be performed at several levels during a single session. Procedure time increases with each additional level treated, and your surgeon will determine whether treating multiple fractures simultaneously is appropriate based on your overall health and the characteristics of each fracture.

Does vertebroplasty prevent future compression fractures?

Vertebroplasty stabilizes the treated fracture but does not address the underlying bone density problem responsible for it. For patients with osteoporosis, medical treatment to improve bone density is essential for reducing the risk of future fractures at other spinal levels, and our team will discuss this as part of your post-procedure care.

What is the difference between vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty uses a small balloon to create a cavity within the fractured vertebra and partially restore vertebral height before cement is injected. Vertebroplasty injects cement directly without this balloon step. Both procedures effectively stabilize the fracture and relieve pain; the choice depends on the specific characteristics of the fracture and the goals of treatment for that individual patient.