Trials of Vertebroplasty for Vertebral Fractures Nov 19, 2009
To the Editor: In the August 6 issue, Kallmes et al.1 report on the Investigational Vertebroplasty Safety and Efficacy Trial (ClinicalTrials ... gov] ), and Buchbinder et al.2 report on a randomized trial of vertebroplasty for painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN012605000079640) ... Vertebroplasty provides internal fixation of nonhealed osteoporotic vertebral fractures. (New England Journal of Medicine)
How to Save Billions On Health Care Now Nov 13, 2009
Aside from data showing that elective angioplasties don't save lives, a recent study found that vertebroplasty, a common procedure to treat pain from back fractures, was than a placebo treatment with a shot to temporarily numb the area. Ultimately, insurers will try to change behavior by refusing to cover services that have performed poorly in comparative effectiveness research. (CBS News)
Misleading example Sep 1, 2009
RE by Kay Lazar: It should be noted that the woman featured in the article on vertebroplasty, upon whom so many others may pin their hopes, had a vertebral fracture secondary to spread of cancer to the bone. The medical articles that have stirred the recent controversy about this procedure, on the other hand, only included women who had vertebral fractures secondary to osteoporosis, a thinning of the bone - a different disease process. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
Elderly patients' quality of life must be considered Sep 1, 2009
I BELIEVE that the study mentioned in the article on vertebroplasty misses a significant point ( g, Aug. 24). While pain relief a number of months after the injury may be equivalent using surgery or other means, the ability of an elderly patient to function on his or her own without the surgery should be considered. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
Studies challenge vertebroplasty, yet patients and doctors say it works Aug 24, 2009
Recent studies have challenged the effectiveness of a popular kind of back surgery, yet many patients - and their doctors - say vertebroplasty works. Marianne Brenton, 76, underwent vertebroplasty earlier this year ... The minimally invasive surgery, known as vertebroplasty, is under scrutiny after two recent studies in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded the popular treatment to ease pain from back fractures, typically caused by osteoporosis, is no more effective than a sham surgery. (Boston Globe)
New Bone Cement Could Improve Spinal Treatments for Osteoporosis Sufferers Aug 20, 2009
Vertebroplasty, a procedure to shore up fractured bones, has at times been dismissed as unnecessary, but a new bonding material could change this ... When the gets to be too much for those suffering from spinal bone fractures due to osteoporosis, there are generally two options: bed rest (often combined with a protective brace and painkillers) or a controversial procedure known as a vertebroplasty, which involves injections of bone cement ... In a vertebroplasty, a surgeon uses a hollow-point... (Scientific American)
Noted Vertebroplasty Expert Cites Concerns About Recently Published Study Aug 12, 2009
DAYTON, Ohio, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers has given rise to more questions than answers about the effectiveness of vertebroplasty to treat osteoporotic spinal fractures. Vertebroplasty is a widely used procedure in which medical cement is injected into vertebrae to relieve pain and improve mobility in patients who have osteoporotic fractures ... This study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was the first of its kind, using a double-blinded research... (PR Newswire)
Common back treatment no better than fake Aug 8, 2009
HOLD FOR RELEASE UNTIL 5 P.M.; graphic explains how vertebroplasty is performed ... Doctors usually try bed rest, painkillers and back braces before turning to vertebroplasty (pronounced vur-TEE-broh-plas-tee). (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Surgery, 'Sham' Equal in Treating Compression Fracture Pain Aug 7, 2009
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Two new studies suggest that vertebroplasty, a widely used surgery to help heal compression fractures, is no better than "sham" surgery when it comes to relieving pain and improving daily function ... Vertebroplasty involves injecting a type of "cement" into the spine to stabilize it, thereby relieving pain and reducing disability in people who have had osteoporotic fractures ... According to an editorial that accompanies the studies, all appearing in the... (MEDLINEplus)
A Randomized Trial of Vertebroplasty for Painful Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures Aug 6, 2009
Background Vertebroplasty has become a common treatment for painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures, but there is limited evidence to support its use. Methods We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which participants with one or two painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures that were of less than 12 months' duration and unhealed, as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, were randomly assigned to undergo vertebroplasty or a sham procedure ... Results... (New England Journal of Medicine)
Is a Common Medical Procedure Unnecessary? Aug 6, 2009
Two Studies Show that No Difference For Patients Who Had Vertebroplasty and Those Who Had Placebo Treatment ... Studies have shown with those who undergo a common back surgery, vertebroplasty, felt no different ... Dr. Kenneth Chapman, a pain management specialist, who said that Vertebroplasty is one of the most rewarding procedures that he does. (CBS News)
Balancing Science and Informed Choice in Decisions about Vertebroplasty Aug 6, 2009
Percutaneous vertebroplasty the injection of polymethylmethacrylate directly into the vertebral compression fracture has emerged as a treatment. . (New England Journal of Medicine)
Common back treatment no better than fake one Aug 6, 2009
Doctors usually try bed rest, painkillers and back braces before turning to vertebroplasty. During the procedure, hot bone cement is injected into the collapsed or cracked vertebra. (MSNBC -- Health)
New Treatment Method Reduces Pain In Patients With Vertebral Compression Fractures Aug 5, 2009
Vesselplasty is a new alternative to vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty two conventional VCF treatment methods ... Vesselplasty solves the problem of leakage of cement out of the vertebral body which can happen during both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, said Lucia Flors, MD, lead author of the study ... 30, 2005) A Mayo Clinic study has found patients report less back pain at rest and while active following vertebroplasty, a procedure in which medical cement is injected into painful compression... (Science Daily)
Poor Treatment For Common Vertebral Compression Fractures, Research Suggests Apr 30, 2009
30, 2005) A Mayo Clinic study has found patients report less back pain at rest and while active following vertebroplasty, a procedure in which medical cement is injected into painful compression fractures in. (Sep. (Science Daily)
Bone Cement Eases Pain of Late-Stage Cancers Mar 11, 2009
"The procedure is analogous to vertebroplasty, which has been around for a few years, where you put little needles into the spine and inject a cement mixture," Montgomery said. "It's the same kind of cement they use for total hip replacement. This is same thing, except they're just taking it to usage outside the spine into other areas.". (MEDLINEplus)
'Miraculous' Effects, Pain Relief Of Osteoplasty Shown For Those Suffering From Metastatic Bone Disease Mar 11, 2009
The technique is similar to vertebroplasty, an interventional radiology treatment that has been used extensively in the spine to treat the pain of compression fractures. In the study, the average pain intensity score for patients based on the 11-point visual analog scale dropped significantly from 8. (Science Daily)
Alphatec Spine Announces Key Activities At 2009 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting Feb 25, 2009
Currently, the two most common procedures used to treat a VCF are kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. A vertebroplasty procedure involves injecting bone cement directly into the VCF under high pressure, with the goal of stabilizing the fracture. (Primezone Releases)
Breast Cancer Patients May Have a New Treatment Option When Cancer Spreads Feb 23, 2009
A surgical procedure (vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty) in which bone cement is injected into the body to stabilize the bone. Subsequent external beam radiation therapy (or EBRT) to control tumor growth. (PR Newswire)
