Vertebroplasty is a procedure that helps ease pain, improves mobility and keeps patients from having surgery with compression fractures. The procedure involves injecting bone cement into the spine bones to reinforce collapsing vertebrae. The bone cement, which is also used in joint replacements, quickly hardens inside the vertebra. This gives strength to the vertebra.
While this procedure cannot restore the original shape to the crushed vertebra, it prevents further collapse of the bone. Patients often have significant pain relief.