Vertebroplasty combined with facet joint block vs. vertebroplasty alone in relieving acute pain of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective The study objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with facet joint block (FB) and vertebroplasty alone in relieving acute pain on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Methods A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted. One hundred ninety-eight patients of OVCFs undergoing surgery were randomly divided into two groups: Group P (PVP, n = 97), Group PF (PVP + FB, n = 101). The Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were measured during pre-operation, 1 day, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation, respectively. The hospitalization time, operation time, complications, recurrence, the mean amount of cement injected and the number of patients who applied Cox-2 inhibitors within 3 days after operation were compared in the two groups. Results The VAS and ODI scores at each observation point of the post-operation were significantly decreased than that at the pre-operation in both groups (P < 0.05). The VAS and ODI scores in Group PF were significantly lower than that in Group P 1 day and 1 month after the operation (P < 0.05). The number of patients who applied Cox-2 inhibitors within 3 days after operation in group PF was significantly lower that in Group P (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in hospitalization time, operation time, the mean amount of cement injected, complication rate, VAS and ODI scores at the pre-operation (P > 0.05). Conclusion Both PVP combined with FB and PVP alone are effective treatment methods for OVCFs. But PVP combined with FB showed better back pain relief than PVP alone in the short term after the operation for OVCFs.

Comparative Efficacy of Surgical Interventions for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

“…Although both methods proved beneficial, the combined approach exhibited superior back pain alleviation in the short term. 17 This convergence with ODI outcomes corroborates our findings, positioning VIJ at the forefront or near the top of our analysis. Therefore, this also underscores the amplified efficacy of postoperative injections in OVCF cases.…”

“…A recent RCT juxtaposed the efficiency and safety of VP combined with a subsequent facet joint block against VP alone. Although both methods proved beneficial, the combined approach exhibited superior back pain alleviation in the short term [ 17 ]. This convergence with ODI outcomes corroborates our findings, positioning VIJ at the forefront or near the top of our analysis.…”

Lumbar Facet Joint Injection: A Review of Efficacy and Safety

“…6 ). Wang 등( 44 )은 경피적 척추 성형술과 후관절 주사가 장기 추적 검사에서 유사한 통증 완화 정도를 보였다고 보고했고, Dang 등( 45 )은 경피적 척추 성형술과 후관절 주사를 병합하여 시술할 경우 척추 성형술 단독 시술보다 단기적인 요통 완화에 더 우수하다고 보고했다.…”