Pain Management
Treating Spinal Fractures
Vertebral Augmentation, a non-surgical procedure, is utilized to treat painful fractures in the spine, known as vertebrae.
These fractures can occur due to weakened bones, such as in osteoporosis, or when the vertebra is compromised by a tumor. When a vertebra collapses, it can cause significant pain due to inflammation and nerve pressure. Vertebral augmentation aims to stabilize the fractured vertebra using specialized cement.
How Is This Procedure Performed?
Procedure: The doctors begins by numbing the skin on the back. Using x-rays for guidance, they insert a thin metal tube into the fractured vertebra. Through this tube, they inject cement into the center of the broken bone, a procedure known as “Vertebroplasty.” In some cases, a balloon may be used to elevate the collapsed vertebra before cement injection, known as “Kyphoplasty.”
Alternatively, mechanical vertebral augmentation can be employed to restore the height of a flattened vertebra. A metal implant is inserted through the tube into the vertebra, which expands to lift the vertebra before cement injection.
Treating Knee Pain
Geniculate artery embolization (GAE) is primarily used to treat knee pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Knee osteoarthritis, in particular, can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, limiting their ability to perform daily activities and affecting their overall well-being. GAE targets the inflammation in the knee joint, which is a key contributor to the pain experienced by individuals with OA. By reducing inflammation through this procedure, patients can experience relief from their knee pain and improve their functional capacity.
How Is This Procedure Performed?
GAE is a minimally-invasive procedure aimed at alleviating knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. It involves making a small puncture in the groin area to access the arteries around the knee. Through a catheter placed in these arteries, tiny particles are injected to block the capillaries surrounding the knee lining, a technique known as embolization. Typically lasting between 45 and 90 minutes, the procedure allows patients to return home the same day.
