The roles of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty as parts of a treatment strategy for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

摘要

Recommended treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures commonly includes bedrest, bracing, and pain medications. Bedrest accelerates bone loss and functional decline is common, however, and in many patients the pain is refractory to these measures. Recently, percutaneous vertebral body augmentation techniques have been described. Percutaneous vertebroplasty involves the injection of polymethylmethacrylate into the compressed vertebral body to restore its load-bearing capacity and stiffness. A prospective, randomized trial comparing vertebral body augmentation with traditional management has not been completed. A number of case series have reported excellent pain relief in treated patients. Several studies reviewed imaging findings in patients reporting successful outcomes after vertebral body augmentation. Finally, a number of studies have explored the mechanical restoration of the vertebral body with varying amounts of polymethylmethacrylate and other fillers. < copyright > 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.