Pain and functional outcomes following vertebroplasty for vertebral compression fractures – A tertiary centre experience

Abstract

Objectives: There is a dearth of comparative outcome data on vertebroplasty for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCF) according to vertebral level, the number of levels and aetiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the improvement of pain and function following vertebroplasty for a heterogeneous cohort of patients with medically refractory VCF. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on a cohort of consecutive patients undergoing vertebroplasty following at least 4 weeks of failed medical management, between April 2007 and March 2012 at a single neurosurgical centre. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, analgesic usage and complications were recorded preoperatively and at day 1, week 1, 1 month, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Intraoperative vertebral body biopsy was performed routinely. Results: Two hundred and two levels were augmented in 147 patients. The most common levels augmented were T12 (17%), L1 (18%) and L4 (10%). Significant reductions in pain VAS and ODI scores were evident at day 1 and sustained at up to 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.001). They were not dependent on the level of fracture (T3-10, T11-L2 and L3-S1) (p > 0.05), the number of levels treated (single level, two-level and > two level) (p > 0.05) or aetiology of VCF (p > 0.05). At 1 year postoperatively, 79% (113/142) had no or reduced analgesic usage. The complication rate was 6% (9/147). There were five mortalities, none of which was directly related to surgery. Conclusion: Vertebroplasty for medically refractory VCF may offer sustained improvement in pain and function. The procedure is associated with low morbidity and mortality.

Keywords:

• Oswestry Disability Index
• pain visual analogue scale
• vertebral body biopsy
• vertebral compression fracture
• vertebroplasty

Declaration of interest

The authors received no funding in relation to the writing of this manuscript. The authors report no declaration of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.