Artikel
PMMA-vertebroplasty improves pain related to osteoporotic vertebral collapse significantly in elder patients
PMMA-Vertebroplastie verbessert signifikant Schmerzen durch osteoporotische Wirbelbrüche bei älteren Patienten
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Autoren
Veröffentlicht: | 23. April 2004 |
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Gliederung
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Objective
Vertebral compression fractures is a disease of the elder patient characterized by severe local back pain. Serious pain immobilizes the patients causing complications like thrombosis or pneumonia. Invasive treatment is not indicated in most cases. The purpose of this study was to test the benefit of percutaneous polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty significantly for pain reduction.
Methods
A total of 51 patients elder than 70 years with osteoporotic vertebral collapse of the thoracic and lumbar spine were treated by PMMA vertebroplasty. Several patients were immobilized due to serious back pain. Using the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability (OLBPD) Questionnaire and visual analogue scale treatment related change in disability was analysed prior to treatment and repeatedly during one year after vertebroplasty. In all patients percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed under local anesthesia.
Results
Immediately after treatment a total of 94% of patients reported a significant pain reduction. All patients were mobilized 3 hours after vertebroplasty. After treatment procedure mean stay in hospital was 3,5 days. Vertebroplasty was highly beneficial for patients with pain related to local instability of the spine. Also half a year later pain was significantly improved and analgesic medication was reduced. Extravasation of PMMA beyond the vertebral margins was observed in 24% of the cases. No treatment related clinical or neurological complications were noticed.
Conclusions
PMMA vertebroplasty is a useful and safe method of pain relief which rapidly regains quality of life of patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression.