Vertebroplasty in the Treatment of Pain in Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

Abstract

Introduction. Osteoporosis is a metabolic disorder found in 1/3 of women and 1/8 of men over the age of 50. Increased bone fragility leads to low-energy fractures, 50% of them affect the vertebral bodies of the thoracic and lumbar spine. Fractures produce intensive pain which practically immobilize patients and require strong pain killers taking.

Aim. We retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness of vertebroplasty in treating pain caused by fresh osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Material and Methods. 270 patients, 206 women and 64 men were included. Mean age of women was 78, and in men 79 years. All patients had fresh vertebral fracture producing intensive pain. Pain intensity was measured using a 10 cm Visual Analog Scale. Pain intensity was assessed using the VAS scale before vertebroplasty and then 12 hours, 1 day and 30 days after the procedure. All surgical procedures were performed under local anaesthesia in an operating theatre using a two-plane X-ray machine.

Results. Significant reduction of pain was noted in almost all patients within 12 hours after procedure, and perfect result with pain reduction from 7–9 cm in VAS scale to 2–4 cm were noted in all follow-up exams. Only 1of 270 patients had not reported any improvement. No systemic or local complication of the procedure were noted.

Conclusions. Vertebroplasty quickly, efficiently and for a longer period of time significantly reduces pain caused by osteoporotic vertebral fractures and should be considered as one of the primary method of treatment of pain caused by osteoporotic vertebral fracture. (JNNN 2025;14(4):178–181)