Percutaneous vertebroplasty: role in treatment of vertebral compression fractures

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disorder. Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are a significant cause of back pain. Pain after VCF can be attributed to incomplete healing and progressive collapse of the bone. Conservative management has been the historical treatment option for patients with painful percutaneous vertebroplasties (PVs). Although seemingly harmless, conservative treatment can be risky for elderly patients suffering from VCFs. PV can be used to treat VCFs in some patients. The exact mechanism of pain relief by vertebroplasty is not understood; the pain relief is probably because of improved vertebral body strength and stiffness and decreasing motion of the vertebral body and periosteal and interosseous nerves. But, PV is not without risks. Therefore, until further studies show that PV is superior to conservative treatment, with equivalent complications profile, PV should be reserved for patients who have failed conservative treatment.