Vertebroplasty Testimonial

Sullivan fell and hurt her back, hit her head while bowling and was then brought to the hospital for treatment. After x-rays, the doctor told her she had a sprained back, in the lower back (she really had two fractured vertebrae).

She was put on pain medication. She still hurt.

In January 2004, the pain got so bad, “I couldn’t walk. I was in so much pain.” She got an MRI which showed her T-4 was fractured. “The doctor put me in a brace for 6 months to help my back. I was still on pain medication (vicadin) and still felt the pain.”

“When I walked I was in excruciating pain. I went from the bed to the couch. I thought I had to live the rest of my life like that.”

Before her injury she was active bowling in a league, golfing three times a week in the spring, summer and fall, and she did aqua aerobics. All these activities ceased when she was injured.

In Oct. 2004 she was referred to Dr. Wang from Jefferson Pain Center, Philadelphia and he recommended vertebroplasty. She was impressed by the way he explained the procedure and how well versed he was with VCF. He also scheduled her procedure quickly and made arrangements to schedule appointments at her convenience—since this is an outpatient procedure and requires only local anesthesia.

The procedure went well. Sullivan stated “I felt immediate pain reduction. It felt like a miracle.”

A year later, Sullivan is back to golfing and working out. She can lift heavier bags of groceries. All this with no drugs, too. “I would recommend the procedure. It’s given me my life back.”

Sullivan continued, “If they (a person) has a problem and they’re a candidate for the procedure, they should get it. They need to explore their options and go to the right place. The ladies at the gym say, ‘I can’t believe the difference in you.’”


Read more about those who have benefited from vertebroplasty
Rita Cox, Teresa Fox, Eva Gerritsen, Shelby Brewer, Albert Occhipinti, Betty Sullivan, Edith Vandermeulen, Irma Nabors

While vertebroplasty has a over 90% success rate in relieving severe spine pain, results will vary.¹ For more information or to see if you or a loved one are a candidate for this procedure please refer to a specialist.

¹McGraw JK, et al. Prospective evaluation of pain relief in 100 patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty results and follow-up. JVIR. 2002; 13:883-886.

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