Summary
This article helps validate Kyphoplasty from the European front. It does not, however, have direct translation from a financial standpoint beacuse there are vast differences in healthcare funding from Eurpo to the US.
Analysis
I think the FREE Study does have great implications for further US development and progression in dealing with Kyphoplasty. I do also know that not all European literature can be translated to the US. I think there have been other valid and well-supported studies performed here in the US already. I don't really fell that the question is about outcomes and success at this point. It is really going to boil down to what has been alluded to already, and that is the cost. In this day and age of economic crisis this has become the definitive bottom-line. The hope is that we can show that because of the overall reduction of further procedures and the decreased rate of chronic disability following VCF's, that this can offset the initial cost of this procedure.
