- Placement of Orthopaedic Balloon Relieves Spinal Pain
- Parathyroid Hormone Helps Decrease Vertebral Fractures
Researchers presented findings on several exciting new advancements in osteoporosis treatment at the meeting of the World Congress on Osteoporosis 2000 in Chicago, Illinois this June. Among the presentations were studies of a minimally invasive spinal treatment called kyphoplasty and a new bone forming-agent called parathyroid hormone that helps vertebrae increase in size. Researchers were optimistic about both therapies as well as the use of the newly FDA approved drug, Actonel (generic name, risedronate) in women and Fosamax (generic name, alendronate) in women and men.
Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease that primarily affects post-menopausal women. According to new estimates by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately one in two women and one in eight men over age 50 have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects roughly 25 million Americans and is currently one of the most under-diagnosed and under-treated disorders in medicine.
Researchers presented promising results of studies on an experimental new minimally invasive technique to relieve spinal pain. The procedure, called kyphoplasty, can be performed under local anesthesia and involves using x-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance to help the surgeon place a hollow needle into the collapsed vertebra. Once the needle is placed, a small orthopaedic balloon is then inserted through the needle and into the vertebra. When the balloon gently inflates, it restores the soft bone to its natural shape. The surgeon then uses a special liquid cement (methylmethacrylate) to fill the cavity inside the bone.
Researchers found that kyphoplasty provided rapid pain relief from spinal pain and vertebral compression fractures in 96% of patients. Frank M. Phillips, MD of the University of Chicago Spine Center performed many of the procedures for one study and calls kyphoplasty a significant step forward in treating osteoporotic spinal fractures.
The researchers say that kyphoplasty may have fewer shortcomings than vertebroplasty, another minimally invasive procedure that involves using special liquid cement to reduce spinal pain. However, additional studies are needed to confirm the benefits of kyphoplasty versus standard vertebroplasty.
With vertebroplasty, there is potential for leakage due to the high pressure required to insert the liquid cement. There is also the possibility that the spinal deformity cannot be corrected with vertebroplasty. However, most patients do not experience severe complications from the procedure.
“There is no current scientific proof that kyphoplasty is safer or more effective [than vertebroplasty],” said Jonathan Wiener, MD, a neuroradiologist at Boca Raton Community Hospital Boca Raton in Florida who performs vertebroplasty. “Vertebroplasty has been performed in France since 1984 and in the United States for more than five years.”
Currently, kyphoplasty is only being performed at a handful of locations across the United States (such as St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver, Colorado). Researchers at the World Congress on Osteoporosis 2000 emphasized that patients must be carefully evaluated to determine whether they are candidates for kyphoplasty. Patients who undergo the procedure within eight weeks of a spinal fracture typically have better results, according to early research.
An experimental new bone-forming agent called parathyroid hormone (PTH) is also showing promise when used with estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in women with osteoporosis, according to researchers. In a study of 52 women with osteoporosis, women who took PTH along with ERT were able to increase their bone mass in the spine and total hip after one year of therapy.
One study presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis 2000 found that PTH actually increased the size of vertebrae in women, not just their bone mineral density. These findings show that PTH may be important in rebuilding bone strength and preventing future fractures.
Researchers believe that PTH works by increasing the activity of bone forming cells called osteoblasts. This differs from existing osteoporosis medications that typically work by decreasing the activity of osteoclasts, cells that break down bone.
Though additional clinical trials with PTH are needed, researchers are optimistic. Felicia Cosman, MD, clinical director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, said that the findings presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis 2000, are the first data that show with certainty that PTH can reduce the risk of vertebral fractures, compared with estrogen alone. Interestingly, one full year after the women discontinued PTH, most of the bone mass gained during treatment was retained as long as ERT was continued.
- The June 15, 2000 National Osteoporosis Foundation press release, “New Scientific Advances in Osteoporosis Research Presented at International Meeting,” is available at http://www.nof.org/news_events/press_releases/new_advances_at_intl_conference.htm
- Abstracts from the World Congress on Osteoporosis 2000 are available from the National Osteoporosis Foundation at http://www.nof.org/index.html (requires Adobe Acrobat)
- Centura Health Online provides information on kyphoplasty, which is being performed at St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver, Colorado at http://www.centura.org/whoweare/D-prk.html
- To learn more about osteoporosis, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/osteoporosis/osteo_whatis.asp
- To learn more about vertebroplasty, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/osteoporosis/news/news4.06.2000.asp
