Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is a minimally invasive vertebral augmentation procedure for the treatment of recent, osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The aim of the study was to determine the early and late outcomes of PVP for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

We prospectively assessed outcomes of PVP in 200 patients with single, osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Follow-up assessment was made 12 hours after surgery as well as after 7 days, 30 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. A subgroup of 80 patients was evaluated also 2 years after PVP. A 100-mm visual analogue scale of pain was used for outcome measurement.

Twelve hours after PVP, very significant relief of pain was obtained in 85% of patients; on the 7th and 30th day a very good result of treatment was noted in 96%. The same result was noted in 92% of patients at the 6th month, and in 90% of patients at the 12th month. Among the 80 patients followed for 2 years, 3 patients reported recurrence of pain and were subsequently diagnosed with new osteoporotic fractures.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive method of treatment for fresh osteoporotic fractures, which provides a significant and sizeable reduction of pain in the short as well as long term after surgery. Complete relief of pain was noted 12 hours after PVP in 94% of patients, and was noted in 90% two years after treatment. Despite some literature data suggesting no beneficial effect of PVP, it can be concluded that PVP is the most effective and the safest method for fresh vertebral compression fracture treatment.