Reliability and effectiveness of percutaneous sacroplasty in sacral insufficiency fractures

Abstract

We evaluated the clinical results of sacroplasty for sacral insufficiency fracture (SIF). SIF are rare fractures that present as low back and groin pain. The diagnosis of SIF is difficult and sacroplasty is the last line of treatment. We reviewed the clinical and radiological data of 15 patients who underwent sacroplasty. Fifteen patients were selected, 12 women and three men, all of whom had failed to respond to medical therapy and bed rest, and were aged 39–76years (mean 65.7). A retrospective electronic medical record review and face-to-face or phone interview was conducted. The patients’ pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional status was assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Radiological diagnoses and investigations were performed using sacral CT scans and MRI. The sacroplasty procedures were performed using the short axis technique. The preoperative VAS scores (mean±standard deviation) were reduced from 7.6±0.7 to 1.7±0.7 postoperatively (p<0.05). The preoperative ODI was also reduced from an mean of 44 (range: 38–46) to 14 (11–22) postoperatively (p<0.05). Sacroplasty is an effective and safe procedure to relieve pain due to SIF.