Percutaneous vertebroplasty: efficacy in the management of pain related to acute vertebral compression fractures.

AIM: Historically, both acute and chronic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) have been managed with vertebral augmentation procedures such as percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP). Recently, however, the trend has shifted to manage VCF pharmacotherapeutically. This study aims to determine if VP is effective for managing pain related to acute VCF (≤12 weeks).

METHOD: This study retrospectively surveyed 8 of 15 patients that underwent VP at Middlemore Hospital between 2018 and 2021. All had VCF aged ≤12 weeks, and presence of increased bone marrow signal on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The survey reviewed pain levels (via numeric score), opiate analgesia dispensation, and mobility levels pre- and post-procedure.

RESULTS

Results showed post-procedure improvement in pain levels in 75% of individuals, which were maintained over the two- and four-week marks. There was an improvement in mobility in 75% of patients at 4 weeks, and 66% had decreased dispensation or complete cessation of opioid analgesia 4 weeks post procedure.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that VP correlates with overall improvement in pain scores, opiate use and mobility in the sample group with VCF aged ≤12 weeks. Hopefully the results of this study will encourage physicians to consider vertebroplasty as a method of achieving adequate analgesia in this demographic of patients.