Background Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has been widely used for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). However, whether this approach is suitable for osteoporotic vertebral fractures with spinal canal encroachment remains controversial. Material/Methods Of 526 patients who underwent PKP at our hospital, 40 had conditions associated with spinal canal encroachment, and were enrolled in the study. Detailed physical, neurological, and radiological examinations were performed on each patient before and after surgery and at the followup. A visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used for the clinical assessment. The vertebral body height, the local kyphosis, and the spinal canal width were used for the radiological evaluation. Results There were 11 male and 29 female patients, with a mean age of 71±8 years. The VAS score decreased from 6.4±0.7 preoperatively to 1.6±0.7 postoperatively and to 2.3±1.5 at the last followup visit. The ODI score was 78±9.5 before surgery, declined to 24±11.3 after surgery, and was 27.6±12.5 at the last followup visit. The vertebral body height increased from 11.7±4.3 mm to 14.6±4.4 mm. The local kyphosis decreased from 15.0±10.7 degrees preoperatively to 8.5±11.3 degrees postoperatively. The spinal canal width remained stable, at 8.5±2.0 mm before PKP and 8.7±1.9 after PKP. Conclusions PKP effectively relieved back pain in OVCF patients with spinal canal encroachment. Their social function improved as well.

Lateral shoulder imbalance (LSI) is reflected radiologically by the clavicle angle (CA). How to achieve postoperative lateral shoulder balance (LSB) after scoliosis correction surgery remains unclear. In the current study, by using the preoperative upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) tilt, the CA, the flexibility between T1 and the UIV, and the ideal postoperative UIV tilt was predicted based on the following formula: ideal postoperative UIV tilt = preoperative UIV tilt—the flexibility between T1 and UIV—preoperative CA. The reliability of the formula was verified through a retrospective analysis, and 76 scoliosis patients were enrolled. The feasibility of this method was verified through a prospective analysis, and 13 scoliosis patients were enrolled. In the retrospective study, there was a significant correlation between the difference in the actual and ideal postoperative UIV tilt values and the postoperative CA, with correlation coefficients in the whole, LSI, and LSB groups of 0.981, 0.982, and 0.953, respectively (p < 0.001). In the prospective study, all patients achieved satisfactory LSB. Using the formula preoperatively to predict an ideal postoperative UIV tilt and controlling the intraoperative UIV tilt with the improved crossbar technique may be an effective digital method for achieving postoperative LSB and has important clinical significance.

Background: Lateral shoulder imbalance (LSI) is reflected radiologically by the clavicle angle (CA). How to achieve postoperative lateral shoulder balance (LSB) after scoliosis correction surgery remains unclear.Methods: In the current study, by using the preoperative upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) tilt, CA, the flexibility between T1 and the UIV, the ideal postoperative UIV tilt was predicted based on the following formula: ideal postoperative UIV tilt = preoperative UIV tilt – the flexibility between T1 and UIV – preoperative CA. The reliability of the formula was verified through a retrospective analysis, and 76 scoliosis patients were enrolled and divided into three groups based on the postoperative shoulder balance: 1) the whole group (n = 76); 2) the LSI group (n = 26); and 3) the LSB group (n = 50). The pre- and postoperative CA, UIV tilt, T1 tilt, flexibility between T1 and the UIV, and ideal UIV tilt were measured or calculated using the formula mentioned above. The feasibility of this method in achieving LSB by establishing the predicted ideal UIV tilt intraoperatively using the improved crossbar technique was verified through a prospective analysis, and 13 scoliosis patients were enrolled. Results: In the retrospective study, there was a significant correlation between the difference in the actual and ideal postoperative UIV tilt values and the postoperative CA, with correlation coefficients in the whole, LSI and LSB groups of 0.981, 0.982 and 0.953, respectively (p < 0.001). In the prospective study, all patients achieved satisfactory LSB, with a correlation coefficient between the difference in the actual and ideal postoperative UIV tilt values and the postoperative CA of 0.939 (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Using the formula preoperatively to predict an ideal postoperative UIV tilt and controlling the intraoperative UIV tilt with the improved crossbar technique may be an effective digital method for achieving postoperative LSB and has important clinical significance.

Background: To evaluate the short to mid-term radiographic and clinical outcomes of the restoration of normal spinal alignment and sagittal balance in the treatment of Kümmell’s disease with thoracolumbar kyphosis. Methods: Between February 2016 and May 2018,30 cases of Kümmell’s disease with thoracolumbar kyphosis were divided into two groups (A and B) according to whether the kyphosis was combined with neurological deficits.All of the cases underwent surgical treatment to regain the normal spinal alignment and sagittal balance.And the radiographic outcomes and clinical results of these 30 patients were retrospectively evaluated.The sagittal imaging parameters including sagittal vertebral axis (SVA),thoracic kyphosis (TK),thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK),lumbar lordosis (LL),pelvic incidence (PI),pelvic tilt (PT),and sacral slope (SS)of the whole spine before operation,immediately after operation,and the last follow-up of each group were measured and evaluated.The clinical results included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of the two groups .Results: The average follow-up period of group A and B were 34.2 and 38.7 months respectively.The parameters of both groups such as SVA,TLK,and thoracolumbar Cobb angle after surgery and at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before surgery.The ODI and the NRS of the two groups at the last follow-up were also significantly improved. Conclusion: In the treatment of Kümmell’s disease with thoracolumbar kyphosis,to restore the normal alignment and sagittal balance can obtain a satisfactory radiographic and clinical short and medium-term effects.