Back to Dr. Weinstein. While he doesn’t perform vertebroplasty himself, he doesn’t think it should be abandoned completely. Weinstein suggests that patients be told it works no better than a placebo, but that they’re welcome to try it. He also noted that compassionate care and time, “in and of themselves, can have an effect.”

The mind is a powerful thing. And its been shown in the past that pain is very susceptible to “mind over matter” – if you believe you’ve received a pain-killing drug, your pain will often abate. While many doctors are calling for additional trials, many are also continuing to use vertebroplasty.

Apparently heeding the old maxim, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Have you had vertebroplasty? Please share your experience by commenting here.