Vertebrectomy

If you have a spinal condition that causes severe pain, instability, nerve compression, or damage to your vertebrae, a vertebrectomy may be necessary. With offices in Beverly Hills and the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, orthopedic surgeon Robert H. Cho, MD, offers vertebrectomy procedures to provide significant relief and improve spinal stability when other treatments haven’t been sufficient. Book your vertebrectomy consultation by calling the nearest office or scheduling an appointment online today. 

What is vertebrectomy? 

A vertebrectomy is a highly specialized surgical procedure to remove all or part of a vertebral body, which is the thick, weight-bearing portion of a spinal bone. 

Dr. Cho performs this procedure when a vertebra has been severely damaged or compromised and can no longer safely support your spine.

After removing the affected vertebra, he can reconstruct and stabilize the area using:

• Implants
• Bone grafts
• Cages
• Rods
• Screws
• Other specialized devices

This helps restore spinal alignment and maintain structural support.

What can vertebrectomy treat? 

Several serious spinal conditions may require a vertebrectomy, including:

• Spinal tumors
• Vertebral fractures that cannot heal properly
• Severe spinal infections affecting the bone
• Significant spinal deformities
• Spinal instability caused by disease or trauma
• Conditions resulting in spinal cord or nerve compression

In many cases, Dr. Cho may consider vertebrectomy when conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, bracing, or less invasive procedures haven’t provided adequate relief or when you need urgent intervention to prevent neurological damage.

What happens during a vertebrectomy? 

A vertebrectomy takes place under general anesthesia. Dr. Cho accesses the affected area of the spine through an incision and carefully removes the diseased or damaged vertebral body while protecting nearby nerves and the spinal cord. 

He can also remove any tissue causing compression on the spinal cord or nerve roots.

After removing the vertebra, he reconstructs the spine using a spacer, cage, bone graft, or other implant to replace the missing bone. Rods and screws then stabilize the spine and promote healing.

Recovery varies depending on the extent of the surgery and your overall health, but follow-up care and rehabilitation are important parts of your healing process.

What are the benefits of vertebrectomy? 

Vertebrectomy can offer several important benefits, including:

• Relief of spinal cord or nerve compression
• Improved spinal stability
• Removal of tumors or infected bone tissue
• Correction of spinal deformities
• Reduced pain and neurological symptoms
• Improved mobility and quality of life

By addressing the underlying source of spinal damage, vertebrectomy can help you regain function and enjoy life more. If you have a complex spinal condition, Dr. Cho can determine whether vertebrectomy may be an appropriate treatment option for you.

Call the nearest office of Robert H. Cho or request your vertebrectomy consultation online today.