Intravenous clodronate for acute pain induced by osteoporotic vertebral fracture

Even though newly developed drugs may in the future preserve bone mass and reduce the risk of fracture, patients with osteoporosis will continue to suffer from episodes of painful vertebral fracture for many years to come. For this reason, the treatment of acute pain induced by this pathology is still a clinically important issue. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of intravenous disodium clodronate (300 mg) on three pain conditions (at rest, on pressure and on motion) associated with recent osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The effects of disodium clodronate were compared with those of paracetamol in 30 patients during a 30-day observation period The results showed higher pain remission rate in patients receiving disodium clodronate intravenously than in those receiving paracetamol. The rapid onset of analgesic activity produced by intravenous administration of disodium clodronate after vertebral fracture represents a definite clinical indication.