RManagement of osteoporotic compression vertebral fractures

Pathological vertebral fractures including osteoporotic compression fractures are common problems with an incidence which increases as the age of the population increases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with refractory pathological fractures. It is a clinical prospective study conducted on 56 patients. The patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively with (VAS) with a 0 to 10 scaling. Local anesthesia was used in 51 patients and general anesthesia was used in 5 patients. Biplanar fluoroscopy was used. Unipedicular approach was used. 87.5% of patients experienced partial or complete pain relief within the first 24 hours after the procedure. The mean preoperative VAS was 8.4 ± 1.6, which improved to 2.5 ± 0.3 at four weeks after surgery. This mini-invasive procedure can immediately and significantly reduce pain and improve the quality of life of these patients.