  Vertebroplasty is a treatment procedure developed by interventional radiologists to stabilize broken bones in the spine caused by osteoporosis. In the procedure, a needle about the size of a cocktail straw is inserted through the skin and into the crushed vertebrae. A surgical bone cement is injected into the bone. The cement hardens, stabilizes the bone and prevents further collapse. This stops the pain caused by bone rubbing against bone. Often, more than one crushed vertebrae can be treated in a single procedure.
Surgery is not required because the doctor is able to guide the needle to the right spot using special X-ray equipment. Vertebroplasty takes from one to two hours to perform depending on how many bones are treated. The procedure may be performed with a local anesthetic that numbs the area to be treated, or the patient may be given general anesthesia.
Vertebroplasty can be performed in an outpatient surgical center.
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