Vertebroplasty appears no better than placebo for painful osteoporotic spinal fractures, and has potential to cause harm.
Two randomised placebo-controlled trials show the importance of establishing the efficacy of procedures before adopting them into clinical practice.
Buchbinder
Rachelle
R
Osborne
Richard H
RH
Kallmes
David
D
D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010919:Placebos; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*
D010919:Placebos