Percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

One hundred and fifty-six patients with 263 compression fractures and suffering from disabling back pain refractory to analgesic therapy were treated and included in this study. The age of the subjects ranged from 42 to 94 years (mean age: 72.8), and medical treatment period ranged from one to twelve months. The technique involves the percutaneous puncture of the involved vertebra via a transpedical approach followed by the injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into the compressed vertebra. The patients were asked to quantify their degree of pain on the Huskisson's visual analogue scale and the clinical symptoms and surgical results were assessed. The procedures were technically successful for all patients, and no complications relating to either anesthesia or the surgical procedure arose. Pain decreased from 83± 15 mm at baseline to 38±22 mm at the first postoperative day, and 34±19 at 3 month. The reduction in pain were statistically significant (P < 0.05). All patients were able to return to their previous activities and lift quality.