Follow any instructions you are given on how to prepare, including:

• Don't eat or drink after midnight the night before the procedure.

• Tell your healthcare provider what medicines, herbs, or supplements you take; whether  you are, or may be, pregnant; or if you are allergic to seafood, iodine, contrast medium (X-ray dye), or other medicines.

Here is what to expect: 

• You will change into a hospital gown and lie face down on an X-ray table.

• An IV (intravenous) line is started to give you fluids and medicines. You may be given medicine through the IV to help you relax and make you feel sleepy.

• A local anesthetic will be injected into the back to numb the area. Then, a needle is inserted into the back.

• Contrast medium will be injected into the area. This helps show the needle and vertebrae clearly on X-rays. Using video X-ray images as a guide, the healthcare provider moves the needle to the vertebra to be treated.

• A cement-like plastic material is injected into the vertebra. The procedure is repeated on other vertebrae if needed.

• The entire procedure may take several hours, depending on how many vertebrae are being treated.

Here is what to expect: 

• You will be asked to lie flat for 1 hour to 2 hours after the procedure while the cement hardens.

• You will most likely be able to go home within a few hours. Or you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

• You may feel an ache at the puncture sites for the next 24 to 48 hours. To ease this pain, use ice and pain medicines as directed.

• Drink plenty of water to help flush the contrast medium from your system.

• You may be able to go back to your normal light activities in a day or so. You may have to wait for several days or weeks for more vigorous activities. 

Risks and complications after a vertebroplasty include: 

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Rib or vertebral fracture

• Irritation of nearby nerves

• Worsening of pain

• Problems due to contrast medium, including allergic reaction or kidney damage

• Leakage of cement, needing surgery to remove it (very rare)

• Spinal cord or nerve root damage (very rare)

• Pulmonary emboli (rarely, cement can travel to the lungs)