Vertebroplasty appears no better than placebo for painful osteoporotic spinal fractures, and has potential to cause harm.

The article reports on a study conducted to determine the efficacy of vertebroplasty to treat vertebral fractures, a condition commonly caused by osteoporosis. Vertebroplasty involves the injection of polymethymethacrylate into a vertebral fracture. In randomised placebo-controlled trials, patients underwent vertebroplasty or a placebo procedure to simulate vertebroplasty. It was discovered that vertebroplasty did not present any significant advantage over the placebo procedure with respect to the reduction of pain and physical functioning.