Has anyone had vertebroplasty? Osteoporosis and fractured lumbar

Happy for you and thanks for sharing your experience to benefit others.

What do you mean when you say it is deterioriating?
The thing is, I was also bent over, in extreme pain, and in bed, and am also better (95%) and I did NOT have the procedure.

I think this is what my doc was saying: short term pain relief, but no difference in outcome long term.

Still, it makes sense that vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty would fill in the space so that the spine structure is restored. Fractures make the spine lean forward. I find that it is the muscles that hurt now, because the musculature was intended for the full healthy spine. If I were not afraid of side effects, I would have had the procedure. It made sense to me that it might increase risk of further fracture. (But I have continuous fractures T12, T11, L1, L2, then also T6 and L5.

I've had vertebroplasty in 2 thoracic vertebra. Compression fractures from osteoporosis. The pain was gone within 3 days. I'm glad I went thru it.

@windyshores, @lebanon100 and all...It has been over 15 years since this procedure strengthened my back, allowed me to walk, freed me of all pain from T12.

I'd say 15 years is a very good outcome, with no drawbacks for me. It may be helping me for years to come. I have still almost no pain, just now if I move a wrong way, maybe 1x a week if that. No leakage. No negative results, no side effects.

@windyshores, and all...oops, hit send ...
I have several herniated vetobrae in lumbar and cervical. Now, those fellows are causing me trouble and don't know my spines future. we'll see. If they qualified before, they would have been cemented long ago.

Perhaps I am one for whom this procedure was a good solution. Perhaps you are not. I'm just relaying my actual experience, but remember our bodies and each injury is different, requires special attention. We must make decisions based on all the circumstances.

Be safe and be blessed. Elizabeth

Are you saying that cement would be used for herniations? I have never heard of that.

I had three discussions with my specialist who is conservative concerning these procedures. So I would say these decisions also depend on our doctors!

@windyshores and all...If you are addressing my message, absolutely not!

No, I wish it could help with herniations, but my understanding when I had the procedure 15+ years ago, was it was to repair broken vertebrae. The doctor repaired what he could by putting stuff back in place and then inserted the orthopedic cement, whatever it is they use, that stabilized the vertebrae and has kept it in place and 'happy' since. I walked out with a bandaid on my back. I'm purely a patient, this was years ago and I was in excruciating pain, so we must work with that knowledge when reading my words. I'm not medical, haven't had the same issues since, and was extremely pleased with the results.

The herniations are entirely different issues and must be addressed with different procedures, whatever.

There is nothing to discuss regarding my procedure. I was simply sharing my positive experiences with you and others hoping to give you a viewpoint from another patient. Please take it as such and do whatever you and your doctors think is best for your situation.

As I mentioned before, our bodies are so different and so complex we can't depend on our friends or neighbors to make the decisions for us. This is your back, your pain, your doctors, and your life which I hope is filled with days free of pain and many blessings. elizabeth

Your fractures occurred spontaneously due to breakdown from osteoporosis and chemo. Aka pathological fracture.

Correct plus the chemo also weakens bones. Was told not to lift anything to heavy as that can also fracture vertebrates. In fact twisting wrong. But life goes on and one just has to use since. What happens after that is offered up.

I don't know if I am on the right thread but I am in severe pain after a vertebroplasty! I fell and broke a vertebrae, #1. I had to go 2 months before the orthopedic surgeon would even see me. Then he did the vertebroplasty and I am in more agony. I need help but don't know where to turn. I am only told to get an MRI which isn't scheduled till May 26! My pain level is through the roof right now. I need advice. The procedure was done a month ago and the pain is getting worse day by day. It is like a knife is being plunged into my lower back.