This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Similar recurrence rates seen with vertebroplasty vs. conservative treatment for vertebral compression fractures
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
COPENHAGEN — The rate of fracture recurrence in patients with low-energy vertebral compression fractures may be unrelated to surgical intervention, according to a study presented here.
Iulian Popa, MD, presented his group’s findings at the 12th EFORT Congress 2011.
“We know that minimally invasive procedures are useful with regards to pain relief and functional improvement for patients who sustain vertebral compression fractures but, in many cases, they are sustaining additional vertebral compression fractures,” Popa said.
|
|
Popa’s prospective study involved a 58-patient review of fracture recurrence and examination of medical records for osteoporotic medication prescriptions, referrals to endocrinological services and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. Patients were 50 years old or older with low-energy vertebral compression fractures. The cohort was divided into two groups: one group of 24 patients was treated with vertebroplasty and a second group of 34 underwent conservative treatment.
According to Popa, four of the vertebroplasty procedures went on to display recurrent fracture within 6 months. The group treated conservatively sustained eight recurrent fractures. Patients who were treated for recurrent vertebral fracture did not receive osteoporosis treatment. Twenty-one percent of patients were receiving osteoporosis treatment within 6 months of the fracture.
While recurrent fracture following either vertebroplasty or conservative treatment is substantial, Popa said, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups — leading him to submit that recurrence rate is unrelated to surgical intervention, and dependent upon natural history and patients failing to understand the importance of osteoporosis treatment.
“There were significant differences between bisphosphonate users and non-users in our study,” Popa concluded. “The use of bisphosphonate medication in reducing further fractures in this population warrants further study.”
Reference:
- Popa I, Negoescu D, Poenaru D, at al. Incidence of recurrent fractures after vertebroplasty and after the conservative treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Paper #1211. Presented at the 12th EFORT Congress 2011. June 1-4. Copenhagen.
Follow
OrthoSuperSite.com on Twitter