To analyze practices of vertebroplasties in France for traumatic vertebral fractures, changes in the time between diagnosis and treatment, length of hospitalization after the procedure.

A nationwide, exhaustive, population-based cohort study was performed from 2013 to 2021 using the French National Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set Database (PMSI). The data included several parameters such as age, sex, dates of admission and discharge, length of stay, diagnoses, procedures, and hospital characteristics. A specific analysis was performed for traumatic vertebral fractures, after admission to emergency department.

The study included 89 709 people who underwent 102 055 vertebroplasties between 2013 and 2021. The number of vertebroplasties per year increased continuously from 7 189 in 2013 to 15 067 in 2021. Traumatic fracture was the most frequent indication for vertebroplasty. The average time from diagnosis to vertebroplasty decreased from 42.5 days in 2014 to 38.2 days in 2021. There was an increase in same-day hospitalizations and a significant decrease of 36 % in the length of hospitalization after vertebroplasty for traumatic vertebral fractures. The proportion of traumatic vertebral fractures treated by vertebroplasty significantly increased, from 4.4 % to 9 %, while medical treatment decreased.

Vertebroplasty is becoming more and more popular for treating stable vertebral fractures, particularly for traumatic causes. The time interval between diagnosis and treatment decreased, and there was a shift towards same-day hospitalization. This study highlights the need for collaboration between clinicians and interventional radiologists for early diagnosis and treatment to efficiently manage patients’ pain.