CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Vertebroplasty
A minimally invasive surgical operation to repair and stabilise a damaged vertebra or compression fractures.
What is a vertebroplasty?
If you have osteoporosis, a tumour or an injury, you may experience a compression fracture in one of the vertebra which form your spine. This can make the vertebra unstable and cause pain.
An operation, called a vertebroplasty, is to stabilise and restore a damaged vertebra can help relieve pain and prevent deformity or further fractures.
Need to know
The procedure may be carried out under general anaesthetic, or use local anaesthetic to numb the area.
Your consultant will make a small cut or cuts in the affected area and in the case of Kyphoplasty insert a small balloon-like device into the affected vertebra. This is inflated to raise the vertebra to its normal height. The space is then filled with bone cement which quickly sets to support and stabilise the area.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. If you're having general anaesthetic, they'll let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking beforehand.
You should arrange for someone to help you get home afterwards. As with all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Straight after your surgery, you may need to lie flat for several hours. You'll probably only be in hospital for the day, although you may need to stay overnight.
You may have an appointment with the physiotherapist to work on the movement in your back. You'll also be given pain relief. Any cuts should heal within a week, and you’ll need to keep the area dry until then. Your consultant will advise you when you can get back to your normal routine, including work and exercise.
Our Vertebroplasty locations
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
Beaufort House WD6 3BS Elstree
Golders Green Outpatients
Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostic Centre NW11 9PY London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.