Why do you think that some doctors don seem to know about treating VCFs with vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty?
Many doctors just don’t know about procedures for vertebral compression fractures. For example, these procedures have only been practically available in Oklahoma for about 10 years or so. Add to that the fact that there literally was nothing that could be done before this (other than their recommendations) and you can see why we spend a lot of time educating patients and their physicians. back to top Is vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty only used as a last resort for those who obtain no relief from pain medications? Sadly, the procedures are often not used. VCF fixation procedures (vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty) are just as effective in an acute fracture patient as a chronic one. Since there were no effective therapies available before this, all patients were treated with ‘conservative therapy’—i.e., bed rest and pain medications. I consider it a travesty that patients with VCF are made to suffer through conservative therapy while hip fracture patients are operated on the same day. In my
