Article

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.
CI - Copyright (c) 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Langue : ANGLAIS