Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

What is it?
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are procedures that offer pain relief to patients suffering from painful compression fractures in the spine.  The procedures involve injecting bone cement into the vertebrae through a needle to stabilize fractures. 

How is it done?
The patient is given IV sedation and a local anesthetic is used in the skin around the area that is being treated.   The physician locates, under fluoroscopy, the vertebrae that will be treated.  Special needles are passed into the collapsed vertebrae and then bone cement is injected directly into the collapsed bone. 

How long does it take?
The procedure takes approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours to perform depending on how many vertebrae are being treated.  Recovery can be up to 4 hours.    

Preparing for your procedure:
Please complete the pre-procedure pain diagram form and bring this form with you the day of your procedure.  Include a list of any and all medications you are currently taking.

If you have had an MRI, CT scan or other films, please bring copies with you.  Without films, the physician will NOT perform the procedure.

If you have an ALLERGY to Cephalosporins (Keflex, Ceftin…..)please call 443-481-1385 to inform the nurses. 

You must have a driver accompany you on the day of your procedure.  You will receive IV sedation for the procedure.  If a driver is unavailable, the procedure will be canceled per hospital policy.   We must be able to contact your driver before, during and after your procedure either by phone or pager (pagers are available at the Short Stay Unit front desk…please ask).

Plan to be at the hospital up to 6 hours.  Please do not bring young children with you.

If you live more than 4 hours from Annapolis, we recommend you stay in town overnight.  Please call 1- 800-952-7246 for hotel information.

The day of your procedure:
On the day of your procedure, report directly to the Short Stay Unit on the second floor of the Acute Care Pavilion at the hospital.  Two hours of preparation time is needed for this procedure including lab work.  Please wear loose comfortable clothing.  Please bring your insurance information with you.

Please do not eat or drink for at least 4 hours prior to the procedure.  A snack will be provided after the procedure.

You may take pain medication up to 2 hours prior to the exam time with a sip of water.  If you receive pain medication by a skin patch, you must call the nurses at 443-481-1385 for further instructions.  You may bring your pain medication with you to take after the procedure. 

If you are DIABETIC:
If your exam is before 12 noon, do not eat or take any diabetic medication before the procedure.  Bring your medication with you.

If your exam is 12 noon or after, please eat breakfast before 7:00 am and take your diabetes pill or ½ your morning dose of insulin.  Bring your medication with you.

Other MEDICATIONS:
Please take all of your routinely prescribed medications the day of the procedure including blood pressure, heart, thyroid pills, etc. 

NOTE: If you take BLOOD THINNERS OR ANTIPLATLET medications (examples: Coumadin, Heparin. Plavix or Lovenox) please contact the prescribing physician to discuss your risk of stopping these medications for your test/procedure.  We REQUIRE that Coumadin is stopped for 5 days prior to your test/procedure, and that Plavix is stopped for 7 days prior to your test/procedure.   Please call 443-481-1385 for further instructions or if you have questions about your medications.    YOUR PROCEDURE WILL BE CANCELED IF THESE MEDICATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN STOPPED. 

You must be healthy the day of the exam.  You cannot have a fever, infection, sore throat or cough. Please call 443-481-1385 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; leave a message and one of the nurses will call you back to discuss your possible illness.

After the procedure:
You will be given written discharge instructions before you leave and the procedure performed will be explained to you and your driver.

Your referring physician will receive a dictated report from Dr. Eckel or Dr. Clark 8 to 10 days following your visit.

If you have any questions regarding your procedure, please call the nurses at 443-481-1385.