Vertebroplasty Surgery in Gurgaon, Haryana

What is Vertebroplasty Surgery?

Vertebroplasty is minimally invasive and used to treat severe back pain. The surgery is advised if the cause of the condition is a fracture or weakened vertebra (backbone). If you have suffered a compression fracture, often from osteoporosis, cancer, or a fall (the vertebra may have collapsed), this can cause intense pain.

During vertebroplasty, the surgeon makes a tiny needle-sized hole in your skin and carefully injects special medical-grade cement directly into the damaged vertebra to stabilize it and relieve your pain.

The procedure is quick, typically taking 30-45 minutes, and most patients go home the same day. You receive anesthesia so you feel no pain during surgery, and the surgeon uses real-time imaging to guide the needle and cement placement with precision. Once the cement hardens inside the vertebra, it acts like an internal cast, providing immediate support and pain relief. 

How Vertebroplasty is Done (Step-by-Step Procedure)?

You arrive in the OT and are greeted by the surgical team. The nurse helps you change into a surgical gown and places an IV line in your arm for fluids and medications. Your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen level) are monitored continuously on screens to ensure your safety throughout the procedure.

The anesthesiologist discusses pain management options with you and administers anesthesia - either local anesthesia with sedation (you remain awake but relaxed) or general anesthesia (you sleep through the procedure). The choice depends on your medical condition and comfort level. Once you are numb and comfortable, the procedure can begin.

 
1. You are positioned face-down (prone) on the operating table, with pillows placed under your chest and pelvis to keep your spine in a neutral position.
 
2. Your back is cleaned and draped with sterile surgical sheets to maintain a sterile environment and prevent infection.
 
3. The surgeon uses real-time X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) to locate the exact fractured vertebra.
 
4. Images are displayed on screens in the OT, allowing the surgeon to see your spine clearly and guide instruments with precision. This imaging is essential for accurate needle placement and cement injection.
 
5. The surgeon makes a small skin incision (about the size of a needle hole) over the damaged vertebra.
 
6. Once the needle is positioned correctly inside the vertebra, medical-grade acrylic cement (bone cement) is slowly injected through the needle.
 
7. The surgeon monitors the cement flow in real-time on X-ray images to ensure it fills the vertebra evenly and does not leak into the spinal canal or surrounding tissues.
 
8. The cement hardens within minutes, providing immediate structural support.
 
9. After the cement has hardened and the surgeon confirms proper placement and distribution, the needle is carefully withdrawn.
 
10. The small skin incision is closed with a bandage or a single stitch if needed.
 
11. You are moved to the recovery room, where nursing staff monitor your vital signs and pain levels as the anesthesia wears off.

What are the Benefits of Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty helps patients suffering from severe back pain due to fractured or weakened vertebrae. If conservative treatments like rest and medication have failed to relieve your pain, vertebroplasty offers a fast, minimally invasive solution that provides immediate relief and restores your ability to move and live normally. The procedure stabilizes your fractured bone and often eliminates pain within days, allowing you to regain independence and quality of life. 

• Immediate pain relief: Most patients experience significant reduction in severe back pain within hours to days after the procedure, allowing them to function without constant discomfort.

• Rapid recovery: Vertebroplasty is minimally invasive with only a needle-sized incision, so you can return home the same day and resume light activities within a few days.

• Improved mobility: By stabilizing the fractured vertebra, the procedure restores your ability to walk, stand, and move without fear of further injury or pain flare-ups.

• Reduced medication dependency: With pain relief from vertebroplasty, many patients can reduce or eliminate the need for strong pain medications, avoiding side effects and dependency risks.

• Prevents further collapse: The cement strengthens the weakened vertebra and prevents it from collapsing further, protecting your spine long-term and reducing disability.

• Quick outpatient procedure: Taking only 30-45 minutes, vertebroplasty requires no hospital stay, minimal downtime, and allows you to get back to your daily routine rapidly.

• High success rate: Studies show that 80-90% of patients experience significant pain relief after vertebroplasty, making it one of the most effective treatments for compression fractures.

What are the Possible Risks and Complications of Vertebroplasty Surgery?

While vertebroplasty is a safe and effective procedure with a high success rate, like any medical intervention, it carries some potential risks that patients should be aware of. Most complications are rare and minor, and serious adverse events occur in less than 1-2% of cases. Understanding these risks helps you make an informed decision and work with your surgical team to minimize them.

• Cement leakage: In rare cases, a small amount of cement may leak outside the vertebra into surrounding tissues or the spinal canal, which can cause nerve irritation or pain. Surgeons use imaging guidance to minimize this risk.

• Infection: Although uncommon, infection at the injection site or within the vertebra can occur. The surgical team maintains strict sterile technique to prevent this, and antibiotics are given as needed.

• Bleeding or bruising: Minor bleeding at the needle insertion site or bruising around the area may occur but typically resolves on its own within a few days.

• Nerve or blood vessel injury: The needle may rarely irritate a nearby nerve or blood vessel, causing temporary numbness, tingling, or pain. These symptoms usually resolve as tissues heal.

• Allergic reaction: Although rare, some patients may have a reaction to the cement or anesthesia used during the procedure. Your medical team screens for allergies beforehand.

• Blood clots: Very rarely, blood clots can form in the legs after the procedure, though this risk is minimized with early mobilization and proper post-operative care. 

• Incomplete pain relief: In some cases, vertebroplasty may not provide complete pain relief if other underlying conditions are also causing back pain. A thorough evaluation beforehand helps identify these situations.

• Temporary increase in pain: Some patients experience mild temporary pain increase immediately after the procedure before improvement begins, which typically settles within a few days.

• Cement hardening issues: In rare instances, the cement may not harden properly, reducing the stability and effectiveness of the procedure. Imaging guidance helps prevent this complication.

What is the Recovery Timeline After Vertebroplasty Surgery?

You return home the same day or next morning after a few hours of monitoring. Rest in bed with pillows supporting your back, take prescribed pain medications, and ice the injection site if recommended. Mild discomfort and soreness at the needle site are normal. Avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting. 

Most patients notice significant pain relief by day 2-3. You can begin gentle walking around your home and perform basic self-care like bathing and dressing. Continue taking pain medications as prescribed. Avoid bending, twisting, or lifting anything heavier than a few pounds. Rest remains important for healing. 

By the end of the first week, many patients are pain-free or nearly pain-free. You can gradually increase walking distance and return to light desk work if your job allows. Continue avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activities. Attend any follow-up appointments with your surgeon. Most patients can resume normal daily routines like cooking, shopping, and light household chores. 

Pain relief continues to improve as the cement fully integrates with the bone. You can gradually resume more activities, including gentle stretching and light exercise as tolerated. Most patients return to work (especially desk jobs) by week 2-3.

Why Choose Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, for Vertebroplasty Surgery?

At Artemis Hospitals Gurugram, vertebroplasty is performed by experienced spine surgeons using advanced imaging technology. Our team provides expert care from your first consultation through complete recovery and rehabilitation. We understand that severe back pain from fractured vertebrae severely impacts your daily life and freedom. Our minimally invasive vertebroplasty procedure offers rapid pain relief, often within hours after surgery. Most patients go home the same day and resume normal activities within weeks. Artemis Hospitals is JCI and NABH accredited, ensuring international standards of safety and surgical excellence. We combine cutting-edge medical equipment with compassionate patient care and structured post-operative support. Our dedicated team monitors your recovery closely and provides personalized guidance every step of the way. Choose Artemis Hospitals Gurugram for vertebroplasty and regain your pain-free, active lifestyle quickly and safely. 

Reviewed by Dr. Dheeraj Batheja
Senior Consultant - Ortho Spine Surgery
Artemis Hospitals