The controversy over vertebroplasty: an analysis of the debate and proposals for a way forward

This paper examines the ongoing and often heated debate about the merits or otherwise of percutaneous vertebroplasty as a treatment for painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures. In spite of the proliferation of research on this topic there is no agreement over its indications, safety or efficacy. We discuss the ethical issues which arise when new medical interventions such as vertebroplasty are introduced and make suggestions of relevance not just to the case of vertebroplasty, but to the introduction of innovative procedures generally.