Effects of Percutaneous Sacroplasty on Pain and Mobility in Sacral Insufficiency Fracture

Objective Sacral insufficiency fracture (SIF) contributes to severe low back pain. Prolonged immobilization resulting from SIF can cause significant complications in the elderly. Sacroplasty, a treatment similar to vertebroplasty, has recently been introduced for providing pain relief in SIF. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical short-term effects of percutaneous sacroplasty on pain and mobility in SIF. Methods This study is conducted prospectively with data collection. Sixteen patients (3 men and 13 women) with a mean age of 77.5 years (58 to 91) underwent sacroplasty. Patients reported visual analogue scale (VAS; 0–10) and Oswestry disability index (ODI; 0–100%) scores. VAS and ODI scores were collected preoperatively and again at one day, one month, and three months postoperatively. Questionnaires measuring six activities of daily living (ADLs) including ambulating, performing housework, dressing, bathing, transferring from chair, and transferring from bed were collected. Ability to perform ADLs were reported preoperatively and again at three months postoperatively. Results The mean preoperative VAS score (mean±SD) of 7.5±0.8 was significantly reduced to 4.1±1.6, 3.3±1.0, and 3.2±1.2 postoperatively at one day, one month, and three months, respectively (p<0.01). The mean ODI score (%) also significantly improved from 59±14 preoperatively to 15.5±8.2 postoperatively at one month and 14.8±8.8 at three months (p<0.01). All ADL scores significantly improved at three months postoperatively (p<0.01). Conclusion Percutaneous sacroplasty alleviates pain quickly and improves mobility and quality of life in patients treated for SIF.