Evidence based Orthopedics: Vertebroplasty versus conservative treatment in acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (Vertos II): an open-label randomised trial...

Vertebroplasty provides better pain relief than conservative management for osteoporotic fractures but at a greater cost

202 patients aged 50 years and above with symptomatic radiologically confirmed vertebral compression fractures (minimum 15% height loss; level of fracture at Th5 or lower; bone oedema on MRI), with back pain of less than 6 week duration and a visual analogue scale (VAS) score of >=5, were randomized to be managed with a percutaneous vertebroplasty or conservative management. At 1 year it was observed that the percutaneous vertebroplasty offered a much quicker and greater pain relief in comparison to conservative treatment, at a justifiable expense.

Lancet. 2010 Sep 25;376(9746):1085-92. Epub 2010 Aug 9.