A Prospective Evaluation of Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture Patients.

ABSTRACT

Background Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) is a common problem in old age, which causes incapacitating pain and leads to significant disability, morbidity, and mortality. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP), a minimally invasive procedure, results in immediate pain relief with decreased morbidity. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL), as denoted by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score. In contrast, the secondary aims were determining pain relief using the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and vertebral height restoration and wedge angle measurements after PVP. Methodology This prospective, longitudinal, interventional study on the efficacy of PVP was conducted among patients with low back pain due to osteoporotic vertebral collapse in a tertiary care institute. Patients with OVCF were managed by PVP and followed at one week, one month, three months, and six months for improvement in QOL by the RMDQ score and pain relief using the NPRS. The pre and post-vertebroplasty wedge angle and vertebral height (anterior, middle, and posterior columns) at one week and six months were also compared by pre and post-vertebroplasty lateral view skiagrams. Results A total of 24 patients were included in this study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The demographic data were comparable. The RMDQ score showed a statistically significant difference in post-PVP at one week (p = 0.044), one month (p = 0.031), three months (p = 0.022), and six months (p = 0.018). There was a statistically significant difference in the NPRS at six months compared to the pre-PVP status, showing drastic pain relief in patients after PVP. The mean wedge angle (20.5 ± 2.07) measurement was reduced with a statistically significant increase in anterior body height restoration from pre-PVP to six months. There was no significant change in height at the middle and posterior columns compared to the pre-PVP height. Conclusions PVP is an effective, safe, minimally invasive pain and spine intervention for OVCFs with improved QOL and restoration of vertebral height.