Percutaneous vertebroplasty versus conservative treatment and placebo in osteoporotic vertebral fractures: meta-analysis and critical review of the literature.

• Previous RCTs showed significant advantages of PVP over CT in terms of efficacy, but benefits were more limited when compared to placebo. • Differences in patient allocation or in the sham procedure might explain the lack of benefits of PVP versus placebo found in previous RCTs. • Despite controversial opinions, PVP should be offered to patients with OVFs as an alternative option to conservative treatment.