Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures offer patients a way to reduce pain. However, there is no guarantee that they will reduce or eliminate the pain.  Patients may be able to discontinue use of pain medications and may experience a return of lost mobility. A kyphoplasty may also help restore a patient’s height or lessen spinal deformities due to vertebral compression fractures.

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are generally found to be safe forms of spine surgery. However, as with most treatment procedures, there are some risks involved. These may include:

• Cement leakage. If the cement-like material leaks outside the area repaired, it may irritate nerves and cause pain. If the material gets into the spinal canal, it may require an additional procedure to protect the nerves. Cement leakage is more likely during a vertebroplasty due to the less dense (more runny) nature of the cement used.
  
  
• Bleeding. Bleeding may occur if a blood vessel is punctured during the procedure. This may occur during either procedure.
  
  
• Blood clots in veins. During a vertebroplasty, there is a risk that the cement may get into the bloodstream and create a blockage. This can take the form of a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism that compromises a patient’s ability to breathe. However, this complication is rare.
  
  
• Pain and fever due to immune system reaction to the presence of a foreign substance (cement) in the body. Pain and fever may also occur for several hours after the procedure due to heat generated by the cement curing process.  

Additional fractures may also occur. This may be due to a patient’s osteoporosis or other condition or as a change in body mechanics or increased activity following the procedure rather than the procedure itself, though some research has found that vertebroplasty may increase risk of fractures in adjacent vertebrae.

In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health notice concerning serious complications resulting from the use of acrylic cements not labeled for use in treating compression fractures of the spine. Patients are encouraged to consult their physician about using cement-like material – either bone cements or bone void fillers – that have specifically been approved for use in vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty.