What is veebroplasty –
**Core Concept**
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive medical spinal procedure used to stabilize and alleviate pain in damaged or fractured vertebrae, typically in the context of osteoporotic compression fractures or cancerous metastases. This procedure involves injecting bone cement into the affected vertebra to provide structural support and relieve pressure on surrounding nerves.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The primary mechanism of vertebroplasty is to stabilize the fractured vertebra by injecting bone cement, which hardens and provides structural support. This helps to alleviate pain and prevent further collapse of the vertebra. The procedure is often performed under fluoroscopic guidance to accurately target the affected area. The bone cement used in vertebroplasty is typically a type of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which polymerizes and hardens upon exposure to heat.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because kyphoplasty is a different procedure that involves inflating a balloon to expand the fractured vertebra before injecting bone cement for stabilization.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat pain caused by damaged or irritated nerves, but it does not involve injecting bone cement into the vertebra.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because facet joint injections are a treatment for facet joint pain, which is a different condition from osteoporotic compression fractures or cancerous metastases treated with vertebroplasty.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Vertebroplasty is often performed in conjunction with other treatments, such as pain management medications or physical therapy, to provide comprehensive care for patients with vertebral fractures.
**Correct Answer:** D.