Another Look at Vertebroplasty for Patients with Painful Vertebral Compression Fractures

In previous trials, vertebroplasty for pain relief has not outperformed sham procedures in patients with acute osteoporotic compression fractures (e.g., NEJM JW Gen Med Sep 1 2009 and N Engl J Med 2009; 361:569 and 557). To address some methodological limitations in these trials, investigators conducted a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial using stricter inclusion and exclusion criteria, longer follow-up, and no crossovers.

The study cohort involved 180 participants (age, ≥50) with one to three acute vertebral compression fractures, T5–L5 focal back pain at the level of fracture for as long as 6 weeks, pain scores of ≥5 (on a 10-point scale), and osteoporosis. Both vertebroplasty and sham groups received local anesthetic infiltr…