Etymed
vertebroplasty
Definition
surgical procedure to repair fractured vertebrae using bone cement
Clinical context
A 78-year-old woman presents to the emergency department after a fall at home, complaining of severe back pain and inability to stand. X-rays reveal a compression fracture of T12 vertebra. Given her age and osteoporosis, the orthopedic surgeon recommends vertebroplasty to stabilize the fracture and provide immediate pain relief. The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic guidance with injection of bone cement into the fractured vertebra.
Mnemonic
VERTEx - Vertebral Repair with Cement