Vertebroplasty For Fractures

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Article Date: 05 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Published recently is a study investigating the use of percutaneous vertebroplasty as a treatment for osteoporotic compression fractures. Vertebral compression fractures are a common complication of osteoporosis and can cause extreme pain and limit movement. Type-II fractures are often resistant to non-operative treatments and therefore the authors wanted to investigate percutaneous vertebroplasty as a pain management technique in these cases.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty involves injection of acrylic bone into the fractured vertebra, but its long term effects of use on quality of life have to be determined. Thus, this study investigated reduction in pain and quality of life score, first in the short term (≤12 months) and then in the long term (36 months).

The results demonstrated that patients achieved an 'immediate, significant and lasting reduction in the average and worst back pain'. In addition, a comparison of the pre- and post-vertebroplasty scores showed 'a significant and clinically relevant increase in six of eight domains and both summary scores'.

Therefore, the authors conclude that not only did the 'intensity, frequency and duration of back pain decrease', but there was also an improvement in overall physical and mental health after percutaneous vertebroplasty. However, the decision as to whether to undertake this treatment 'should be made carefully and according to the risks and potential benefit for each patient'.

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Source
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery