Researchers presented their findings at SIR’s annual meeting in Tampa, Fla. The study followed 2,251 osteoporotic patients (1,811 women) who were an average of 65 years of age and suffered from back pain for vertebral collapses, confirmed by MRI. Patients were interviewed for prior medical treatment, pain grade, quality of life and extent of vertebral fracture, according to the release.
Of the 2,251, 1,542 patients (1,302 women) received vertebroplasty when optimal medical treatment did not help to relieve back pain or improve quality of life over a three-month period, according to the release. Patients continued to receive medical treatment from a rheumatologist following the procedure.
Of the patients undergoing vertebroplasty, 96.9 percent (1,494) improved on their pain scores, dropping from an average visual analog scale score of 8.2 (of 11 points) prior to treatment to an average of 1.1 after treatment. Patients also recorded improved ability to manage every day tasks, and 683 of 757 patients who had to wear back braces could stop wearing one after treatment, according to the release.
Researchers noted that additional studies needed to be performed before making final conclusions on the effectiveness of vertebroplasty versus conventional medical treatment.
Read the SIR’s release on vertebroplasty (pdf).
