Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR)

Vertebral body replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces a diseased or damaged vertebra with a device designed to restore the spine’s height and alignment. Patients who need this surgery typically suffer from pain resulting from spine fractures involving the vertebral body in the lumbar spine (lower back). Severe fractures are unstable, and often require surgery to remove and replace the damaged vertebra and stabilize the spine.

A vertebral body replacement involves removing and then replacing the affected area with an implant filled with bone graft material. This material will help new bone grow in and around the cage to fuse the vertebrae, restore stability to the spine and eliminate pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots in the thoracic or lumbar spine.