Effect of perutaneous vertebroplasty in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in elder people

Objective To assess the immediate effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) in pain relief and mobility improvement in elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(VCF).Methods Twenty-eight vertebraes(from 23 patients)underwent percutaneous injections of polymethylmethacrylate(2-4 ml) with unilateral transpedicular approach guided by CT.Visual analog scale(VAS) score was assessed before and after PVP.Results All PVP performed were successful.Pain was relieved 3 days after the procedure in 15 cases(15/23),completely relieved one month after PVP in 18 cases(18/23) and partial relieved in 5 cases(5/23).The VAS score showed significant reduction from pre-to post-PVP(P0.001).One year after PVP,16 cases were fully satisfied.No significant difference was shown in the VAS score between that at 1 month and 1 year after PVP(P0.05).Conclusions PVP is a safe and effective microinvasive procedure in management of osteoporotic VCF through pain relieving and vertebrae strengthening.