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Letters to the Editor to:

Scientific Articles:
Heidi Prather, Linda Van Dillen, John P. Metzler, K. Daniel Riew, and Louis A. Gilula
Prospective Measurement of Function and Pain in Patients with Non-Neoplastic Compression Fractures Treated with Vertebroplasty
J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006; 88: 334-341 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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[Read Letter to the Editor] Prospective comparison of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
Professor Dr. Klemens Trieb   (13 March 2006)

Prospective comparison of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty 13 March 2006
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Professor Dr. Klemens Trieb
Dept. of Orthopedics, Klinikum Franfurt/Oder, Hospital of the Humboldt University, Berlin, GERMANY

Send letter to journal:
Re: Prospective comparison of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

k.trieb.co{at}klinikumffo.de Professor Dr. Klemens Trieb

To The Editor:

With interest I read the article on compression fractures treated with vertebroplasty by Prather, et al.(1) In the discussion section (last paragraph) they state that no study has been published that compares the benefits of vertebroplasty with those of kyphoplasty in humans with non-neoplastic fractures.

I do not agree. I would direct the authors and readers of JBJS to a prospective nonrandomized comparison of vertebroplasty and baloon kyphoplasty that was published last year.(2) It showed that kyphoplasty is superior in non-recent fractures with respect to reduction of kyphotic wedge and decreasing pain over a period of two years, although a higher amount of compression fractures in adjacent levels was observed.

References:

1. H. Prather, L. Van Dillen, J.P. Metzler, K. D. Riew, and L. A. Gilula Prospective Measurement of Function and Pain in Patients with Non- Neoplastic Compression Fractures Treated with Vertebroplasty J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006; 88: 334-341

2. J. G. Grohs, M. Matzner, K. Trieb, P. Krepler. Minimal Invasive Stabilization Of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures: A Prospective Nonrandomized Comparison Of Vertebroplasty And Balloon Kyphoplasty. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2005 Jun;18(3):238-42