Treatment of lower lumbar radiculopathy caused by osteoporotic compression fracture: the role of vertebroplasty.

The authors used vertebroplasty for the treatment of severe lower lumbar radicular pain caused by osteoporotic compression fracture. Patients presented with severe radiating leg pain rather than lower back pain from recent osteoporotic compression fracture of lower lumbar vertebra. Radiologic findings showed osteoporotic compression fracture combined with preexisting stenosis of the intervertebral foramen resulting in root compression. After injection of polymethylmethacrylate into the compressed vertebral body through the pedicle of the symptomatic side, all seven patients experienced dramatic pain relief that lasted throughout the mean follow-up duration of 9.1 months. They conclude that vertebroplasty may be an effective way of relieving radicular pain caused by osteoporotic compression fracture combined with foraminal stenosis.