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A second procedure which can be done in the radiology suite is a vertebroplasty. This does not involve general anesthesia and is done with smaller introducing needles and does not allow as much correction of the fracture. The amount of fill of the vertebra is often less but very often this can also give good pain relief.
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Vertebroplasty needle in compression fracture vertebra |
Vertebroplasty cement in fractured vertebra after injection |
Vertebroplasties are usually done for older patient not easily undergoing general anesthesia. Risks for both are nominal but there is the potential in both cases for cement to injure the spinal cord. Vertebroplasty is usually an outpatient procedure while kyphoplasty patients are often admitted overnight for monitoring.
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