Percutaneous vertebroplasty, a relatively new, minimally invasive medical procedure, is currently performed at Winthrop- University Hospital, to relieve the back pain suffered by men and women with osteoporosis or cancer of the bones. Typically, these patients have developed compression fractures of the spine, which can be extremely painful. The procedure has an 80% success rate.

At Winthrop, percutaneous vertebroplasty is performed by A. Orlando Ortiz, MD, MBA, Chairman of the Department of Radiology, Donald Price, MD, Chief, Neuroradiology Section, and Barbara Eisenkraft, MD, Attending Radiologist Neuroradiology. These radiologists are Board certified and have undergone advanced training and certification in the performance of percutaneous vertebroplasty. An outpatient procedure, percutaneous vertebroplasty requires local anesthesia and mild intravenous sedation. Only a small skin incision is needed. The patient remains sedated throughout the 45-minute procedure. Patients can return home after a three-hour recovery period at the Hospital.

Using X-ray guidance, the radiologist inserts a delicate needle into the spinal area, directly into the partially compressed vertebral body, and injects a sterile, bio-compatible liquid cement. Similar to an acrylic in function, the substance seals the fracture.

“The injected cement forms an ‘internal cast’ within the vertebral body, strengthening it and providing pain relief. It helps relieve the symptoms, but cannot correct osteoporosis,” explains Dr. Ortiz. “The procedure cannot prevent future injury to other vertebral levels.”

As the treatment is specifically for symptomatic vertebral body compression fractures, vertebroplasty is not indicated for other causes of back pain, such as disc degeneration or herniations.

Kyphoplasty is another procedure that is indicated for painful vertebral compression fractures. Kyphoplasty, in some instances, can restore the height of the collapsed bone. Dr. Orlando Ortiz is also certified in this procedure.

Patients who are wondering whether the procedure would help them must undergo preliminary X-ray examination and MRI scans. A pre-procedure consultation at Winthrop includes a complete review of X-rays and MRI scans; a physical examination of the back, legs, and arms; a complete explanation of the procedure; the obtaining of the patient’s informed consent; and pre-procedure laboratory blood tests.

For further information or to schedule a consultation contact the Department of radiology at (516) 663-2452.

In this lateral X-ray of the spine, a needle (the horizontal line, midway, left to center) is placed within a partially collapsed vertebral body. The dark, round body, visible in the center of the image, is the opacified cement, which was injected into the partially collapsed vertebra. The vertebral body below this one has also been treated.

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