Vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures: results and functional outcome in a series of 175 consecutive patients.

Osteoporosis is the most common cause of vertebral collapse, which significantly impairs mobility and quality of life. Primary management consists of conservative therapeutic measures such as analgesics, bed rest, external bracing and rehabilitation. Percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic compressive fractures has gained popularity during the last decade. The limited invasiveness and encouraging results of vertebroplasty obtained in the treatment of patients with symptomatic osteoporotic compression fractures have favored an extensive use of the procedure for the management of patients with disabling pain refractory to conservative therapy. In the present paper, the authors provide procedure results and functional outcomes in a series of 175 consecutive patients with 242 symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by means of percutaneous polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty.