How do I get evaluated for Vertebroplasty?

Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) or the provider managing your back pain can refer you for Vertebroplasty evaluation.

If you would like to be evaluated for this procedure, ask your physician to call our office at (434) 924 -9719.

At that time, we will ask him or her to provide us with:

  1. A brief letter of introduction, asking for our opinion on your condition
  2. Pertinent clinical/office notes which describe:
    • when your pain started
    • treatments that were attempted and how you responded to them
    • your medical and surgical history
    • any other information which will help in your evaluation process
  3. Any x-rays you have had performed which show your fracture(s). These may be regular x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or nuclear medicine bone scans.

After briefly discussing your condition with your PCP, we may recommend additional studies to be done and forwarded to us. The address to send this information to is:

Mary E. Jensen, MD
Department of Radiology
University of Virginia Health System
1215 Lee Street, Room 1059
Charlottesville, VA  22908
Fax:  434-982-3880

Once we receive the information, our doctors will review your x-rays and clinical notes. If you are not a candidate for the procedure, we will contact your referring doctor to explain why you are not eligible. We are also happy to contact you directly if you or your PCP would like us to.

If the doctors think this procedure could help you, you will be contacted to make an appointment for an evaluation and consultation. During your consultation, we will discuss with you the risks and benefits of Vertebroplasty. We will obtain a detailed history of your condition, perform a physical evaluation, and possibly a fluoroscopy evaluation. Fluoroscopy is a special kind of x-ray, which helps to determine the location of your pain in relation to the site of your fracture. We may also schedule additional x-rays of the affected area, if needed.

Once the clinical evaluation and any additional x-rays have been completed, it will be determined if you are a candidate for the procedure. If you are eligible, you may then schedule an appointment to have the procedure done at the next available opening. Many times we are able to perform your Vertebroplasty the very next day or possibly later the same week. At the conclusion of your consultation, you may be sent to the lab to have blood drawn.