Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty

Abstract

Vertebral body compression fractures are ubiquitous and a source of severe pain for many patients. Conservative treatment including bracing and physical therapy is effective for most patients. However patients with a non-healing vertebral body fracture and significant pain lasting >6 weeks but <1 year and with point tenderness corresponding to the location of vertebral body fracture can potentially have some benefit from vertebroplasty (cement augmentation into the fracture space) or kyphoplasty (balloon dilation typically followed by cement augmentation). Prospective randomized studies have demonstrated some improvement in pain; whereas, sham studies have demonstrated no benefit. Overall, with good patient selection vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty can be a beneficial tool to help patients with pain due to compression fractures, spinal metastasis, or multiple myeloma.