Clinical Updates: Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures in Primary Care
While pain from vertebral compression fractures usually resolves spontaneously without treatment, some patients suffer debilitating pain despite optimal nonsurgical care. In these individuals, minimally invasive percutaneous vertebral augmentation can offer relief. The two most widely performed augmentation procedures are vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty. Both techniques use bone cement to stabilize crushed vertebral bone and, in the case of kyphoplasty, to restore a measure of vertebral height lost to compression.
Target Audience
This continuing education activity is intended for use by health professionals who participate in the care of patients at risk for or suffering from osteoporosis, in the areas of primary care, endocrinology, geriatrics, gynecology, internal, obstetrics, orthopedics, osteopathy, pediatrics, physiatry, radiology, rheumatology and physical therapy.
This includes physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, technologists, researchers, public health professionals and health educators with an interest in osteoporosis and bone health.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this CE material, the participant should be able to:
• Help individual patients weigh the pros and cons of various pain control therapies for symptomatic vertebral compression fractures.
• Educate patients regarding their nonpharmacologic options for pain rehabilitation following VCF, including relative resting, physical therapy, bracing, and ambulatory assistive devices.
• Apply appropriateness criteria to identify patients for advanced imaging, minimally invasive vertebral augmentation, and/or referral to specialty pain clinic.
• Create a comprehensive fracture-prevention plan for patients with VCFs and/or VCF-related kyphosis.
• Discuss risks, benefits, and efficacy considerations for different minimally invasive surgical procedures for treating painful VCF.
Name of Individual | Individual's Role(s) in Activity | Name of Ineligible Company(s) | Nature of Relationship(s) |
A. Orlando Ortiz, MD, MBA, FACR | Faculty | N/A | N/A |
Ami Patel | BHOF Staff | N/A | N/A |
Amy Mitchell | Planner | Amgen, Radius Health | Consultant, Speaker’s Bureau |
Andrea Sikon, MD, FACP, CCD, NCMP | Faculty | N/A | N/A |
Angelo Licata, MD, PhD | Faculty | Merck & Pfizer | Stock/Shareholder |
Craig B. Langman, MD | Faculty | Lilly, Dicerna | Advisor / Review Panel Member, Consultant |
Eileen M. Shore, PhD | Faculty | Biocryst, Ipsen | Consultant, Consultant & Honorarium |
Jeri W. Nieves, PhD | Faculty | Radius | Grant / Research Support |
Jill S. Borchert, PharmD, BCACP, BCPS, FCCP | Faculty | N/A | N/A |
Mary Beth O’Connell, PharmD, BCPS | Faculty | N/A | N/A |
Robert W. Westergan, MD | Faculty | N/A | N/A |
Teah Martin Bayless, DO | Faculty | N/A | N/A |
Thomas F. Koinis, MD, MSE, FAAFP | Faculty | Amgen, PECA Lab (Pitts, PA) | Honorarium (2022), Stock/Shareholder |
All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated. The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation gratefully acknowledges commercial support from Medtronic for this activity. |
The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
CME Program Eligibility
Method of Participation in the Learning Process: Clinician learners will view and analyze the subject matter, conduct additional informal research through related internet searches on the subject matter, and complete a post-test assessment of knowledge and skills gained as a result of the activity.
After participating in this activity, the reader has the option of taking an evaluation for this activity. It is estimated it will take 1.0 hour(s) to complete the reading and take the evaluation. Continuing education credit will be available for two years from the date of publication.
Disclosure of Commercial Support
It is the policy of the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its sponsored publications and programs. BHOF requires the disclosure of the existence of any significant financial interest or any other relationship the sponsor, Editorial Board or Guest Contributors have with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in an educational presentation. All authors and contributors to this continuing education activity have disclosed any real or apparent interest that may have direct bearing on the subject matter of this program.
Please be advised that BHOF’s accreditation status with ACCME and ANCC does not imply endorsement by BHOF, ACCME or ANCC of any commercial products displayed in conjunction with this activity or endorsement of any point of view.
Refund Policy
BHOF offers no returns or refunds on online internet CME activities purchased through our store. All sales are final. Meeting and workshop registrations will be refunded in accordance with the cancellation policy of the meeting and/or workshop, as outlined at registration.