title: Comparative prospective study of load distribution projection among patients with vertebral fractures treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty and a control group of healthy volunteers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Through a prospective comparison of patients with vertebral fractures and normal population, we illustrate effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) upon projection of load distribution changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vertebroplasty group (36 symptomatic patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures) was evaluated on an electronic baropodometer registering projection of weight bearing areas on feet. Load distribution between right and left foot (including rear-front of the same foot) during standing and walking was recorded and compared before (group V1) and the day after (group V2) PV. Control group (30 healthy asymptomatic volunteers-no surgery record) were evaluated on the same baropodometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean value of load distribution difference between rear-front of the same foot was 9.45 ± 6.79 % (54.72-45.28 %) upon standing and 14.76 ± 7.09 % (57.38-42.62 %) upon walking in the control group. Respective load distribution values before PV were 16.52 ± 11.23 and 30.91 ± 19.26 % and after PV were 10.08 ± 6.26 and 14.25 ± 7.68 % upon standing and walking respectively. Mean value of load distribution variation between the two feet was 6.36 and 14.6 % before and 4.62 and 10.4 % after PV upon standing and walking respectively. Comparison of load distribution variation (group V1-V2, group V1-control group) is statistically significant. Comparison of load distribution variation (group V2-control group) is not statistically significant. Comparison of load distribution variation among the two feet is statistically significant during walking but not statistically significant during standing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a statistically significant difference when comparing load distribution variation prior vertebroplasty and that of normal population. After vertebroplasty, this difference normalizes in a statistically significant way. PV is efficient on equilibrium-load distribution improvement as well.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Radiology, University General Hospital "ATTIKON", 1 Rimini Street, Haidari, 12462, Athens, Greece, akelekis@med.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: Alexios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kelekis
authors.forename: Dimitrios K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Filippiadis
authors.forename: Chrysovalantis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vergadis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsitskari
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nasis
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malagari
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kelekis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology