Vertebral augmentation is superior to nonoperative care in reducing lower back pain due to osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, according to a study in Clinical Spine Surgery.
Here are three things to know:
1. Researchers performed a meta-analysis of 13 studies that comprised 1,467 patients with a minimum of six months of follow-up.
2. Study authors found vertebral augmentation led to greater pain reduction compared to conservative management for symptomatic vertebral fractures. Sub-analysis for acute and subacute symptomatic as well as chronic fractures showed augmentation was superior to nonoperative care.
3. Researchers did not observe a difference in outcomes between vertebral augmentation and nonoperative care for chronic radiographic vertebral fractures.