Long-term evaluation of pain reduction after vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

BACKGROUND: Various studies have been made about the most effective and safest type of treatment for vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Long-term results are needed for qualitative evaluation. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) procedures for VCFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients who received either PVP or PKP between 2002 and 2015 returned a specially developed questionnaire and were included in a cross-sectional outcome analysis. The questionnaire assessed pain development by use of a visual analog scale (VAS). Imaging data (CT scans) were retrospectively analyzed for identification of cement leakage. RESULTS: Patients’ VAS scores significantly decreased after treatment (7.0 ± 3.4 => 3.7 ± 3.4), (p < 0.001). The average pain reduction in patients treated with PVP was −3.3 ± 3.8 (p < 0.001) (median −3.5) and −4.0 ± 3.9 (p < 0.001) (median −4.5) in patients treated with PKP. Fifteen Patients (41.7%) receiving PVP and four patients (30.7%) receiving PKP experienced recurrence of pain. Cement leakage occurred in 10 patients (22.73%). Patients with cement leakage showed comparable VAS scores after treatment (6.8 ± 3.5 => 1.4 ± 1.6), (p = 0.008). Thirty-nine patients reported an increase in mobility (79.6%) and 41 patients an improvement in quality of life (83.7%). CONCLUSION: Pain reduction by means of PVP or PKP in patients with VCFs was discernible over the period of observation. Percutaneous vertebroplasty and PKP contribute to the desired treatment results. However, the level of low pain may not remain constant.