Researchers at Baylor Research Institute in Dallas found that the lesser expensive vertebroplasty is just as effective as the more common kyphoplasty for osteoporosis patients. The Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery published the study.
The study examined 59 patients who received kyphoplasty and 56 patients who underwent vertebroplasty.
Here are four key points:
1. Kyphoplasty uses a small inflatable balloon to repair vertebral compression fractures, while vertebroplasty uses bone cement.
2. The researchers noticed improvements in pain and disability in both sets of groups, within three days post-surgery.
3. After 12 months, researchers found that results were basically equal for both procedure groups.
4. The study authors concluded the lesser-used and less-expensive vertebroplasty procedure is just as effective as kyphoplasty.
"Given the results of the study, patients, referring physicians and surgeons can feel confident that either procedure can effectively treat vertebral compression fractures," said Kennith Layton, MD, MS, FAHA, director of interventional neuroradiology at Baylor University Medical Center.