KYPHOPLASTY and vertebroplasty, two minimally invasive treatments for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs), have been found to reduce long-term reliance on pain medication, according to research presented on 5th December 2024 at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting.
The study has offered new insights into the effectiveness of these procedures. Despite mixed findings in previous research, the team’s analysis demonstrates a significant decrease in opioid prescriptions following the treatments.
“There is controversy around the efficacy of these procedures, with much of the criticism aimed towards the inability of these procedures to manage pain long-term,” the researchers noted.
OVFs, which affect 750,000 people annually in the United States, occur when weakened bones from osteoporosis fracture under minimal strain. Patients often experience significant pain, with treatment typically beginning with medication. However, when drugs fail to provide relief, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are viable options. Both procedures involve injecting cement into the fractured vertebra to stabilise the spine and alleviate pain.
The study analysed electronic health records from 65 healthcare organisations in the U.S. between April 2014 and April 2024. The researchers tracked opioid use in 209,314 OVF patients, including 7,633 treated with kyphoplasty and 2,655 with vertebroplasty.
In the kyphoplasty group, 94% of patients were prescribed opioids one month before the procedure. This figure dropped to 17% one month after treatment and remained low at 13% one year post-procedure. Similar trends were observed in the vertebroplasty group, where opioid prescriptions declined from 96% pre-treatment to 19% at one month, stabilising at 13% after a year.
The researchers highlighted statistical differences in opioid use between the two procedures, particularly in the months immediately following treatment. These findings underline the role of kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in reducing dependency on opioids and improving long-term pain management for OVF patients.
“Understanding the effect of KP and VP procedures on trends in opioid use is crucial for long-term pain management strategies,” the team concluded.
This study adds weight to the argument for using these treatments as part of a comprehensive approach to managing osteoporotic fractures.
Victoria Antoniou, EMJ
Reference
Ibrahim B et al. RSNA Annual Meeting, 1–5 December, 2024.
