Background: To assess the effect of cement vertebroplasty on the activity of daily living of elderly patients who have sustained a vertebral osteoporotic fracture. Patients and Methods: Seven patients with clinically significant and radiologically proven osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures suitable to be treated with percutaneous cement vertebroplasty were recruited. Evaluation was based on pre- and postprocedure activity by clinical documentation (including interview) and by a self-developed questionnaire (including quality of life). Results: Following the procedure, 54% of patients resumed their activities of daily living with minimal pain while 46% of patients were able to do so without any pain (p<0.05). Up to 85% of patients did not require any form of medication (p<0.05) and 77% of patients were found to have no pain. In addition to that, almost 62% of patients were able to ambulate normally. Conclusion: Percutaneous cement vertebroplasty appears to significantly improve the activities of daily living of elderly patients who have sustained vertebral osteoporotic fractures. It is also found to be a safe procedure which contributes to reduced usage of medication, immediate pain reduction and improvement in functional status of the patient.

Fingertip infections are commonly diagnosed in primary care. There is a serious condition, acrometastases, that is often mistaken for these infections. Acrometastases are defined as metastases located distal to the elbow or knee. We present a case of a malignant phyllodes tumour with acrometastases to the distal phalanx of the left middle finger that was misdiagnosed as a fingertip infection on 2 separate occasions, highlighting the need for vigilance regarding acrometastases.