What should you know about continued pain after vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasty stabilises a vertebral compression fracture by placing bone cement in the collapsed vertebra. Pain may persist if the fracture is still healing, if pain comes from nearby joints or discs, or if another vertebra has become painful. New pain soon after treatment, especially with fever, increasing tenderness, weakness, or a change in sensation, should be discussed promptly. The procedure and the underlying fracture are separate parts of the assessment; improvement in one does not explain every symptom.

Contact the clinician who performed the procedure or your spine specialist and describe where the pain is, when it began, and whether movement, coughing, or lying down changes it. Keep activity gentle until you have advice: avoid heavy lifting and sudden twisting, but do not remain in bed for long periods unless instructed. Take only medicines that are suitable for you and use them as directed. Your review may include an examination and imaging to check the treated vertebra and surrounding levels. Ask whether the cement used was bone cement and whether another approach, such as kyphoplasty, is relevant.

Seek urgent medical care for new leg weakness, numbness around the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe pain after a fall, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Contact a clinician promptly for fever, a wound that is red or draining, rapidly worsening back pain, or pain that prevents basic movement. These symptoms need assessment rather than being attributed to normal recovery.

Could the original vertebral compression fracture still be healing? Could pain be coming from a neighbouring vertebra, a facet joint, or a disc? Do I need repeat imaging? Which activities and pain medicines are appropriate for me? What symptoms should make me seek immediate help?