Percutaneous vertebroplasty versus conservative treatment for one level thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fracture: Results of an over 2-year follow-up

We retrospectively compared the clinical and radiological results of percutaneous vertebroplasty with those of conservative treatment in the management of thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures. sixty-five patients who could be followed up for more than 2 years with thoracic and lumbar spine osteoporotic compression fractures,between january 2005 and october 2010,were reviewed. the patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of management: group 1,non-operated group treated conservatively; group 2,operated group that underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty. we assessed the clinical and radiological changes at postoperative and follow-up periods in both groups. the male-to-female ratio and mean age of the patients were 11:54 and 73.04 years (range,50 – 90 years),respectively. the location and number of treated vertebrae were as follows: t4 = 1,t6 = 1,t7 = 3,t8 = 1,t9 = 2,t10 = 1,t11 = 8,t12 = 11,l1 = 17,l2 = 10,l3 = 6,l4 = 3,and l5 = 1. the mean t-score was -3.37. the overall vas score and the vas score until 6 months post-injury were statistically more improved in group 2 than in group 1 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005,respectively). overall,the compression ratio was statistically more improved in group 2 than in group 1 (p < 0.05). early pain control and restoration of the compressed vertebral body are the beneficial and real effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures. © 2016,american society of interventional pain physicians. all rights reserved.