Spine Imaging & Injections – Vertebroplasty may offer relief from painful fractures of the spine due to osteoporosis. These fractures are common, especially in elderly females. Symptoms range from mild nagging pain to severe debilitating pain. The pain will often subside within three to six weeks with conservative therapy, but in some instances it persists for months or is so severe that it cannot be tolerated even with rest and pain medication.

A vertebroplasty involves injecting a cement-like substance directly into the collapsed vertebra until the bone is filled. The bone cement hardens within minutes, strengthening the bone to stabilize the fractured components and preventing further collapse.

Pain is resolved or significantly reduced in 80 percent or more of persons undergoing the procedure, according to results compiled from the medical literature. Our results are similar. Most persons who will respond feel better the next day. Some persons respond more slowly, over one to two weeks. A minority of persons’ pain persists despite a well-performed procedure. There is some localized soreness at the skin entrance site, but this is usually short-lived and minor.

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive spinal surgery procedure that treats painful progressive vertebral body collapse or fractures caused by osteoporosis or a tumor in the vertebra. Our physician uses balloons to restore the collapsed vertebra to its normal height and shape, then injects bone cement into the cavity created to stabilize the fractures or collapsed bone. Patients usually go home the same day, and return to normal activities quickly.

Other spinal procedures performed at Greensboro Imaging include:

•  Epidural injections
•  Nerve root blocks
•  Facet and joint injections
•  Discograms (diagnostic disc injections)
•  Myelograms
•  Osteoporosis testing