Background As the population ages, osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) are increasing, as are acute and chronic pain episodes and progressive spinal deformities. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the treatment of symptomatic old osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Methods A retrospective study was designed to enroll patients with symptomatic old OVCFs from June 2013 to 2016. According to the complexity of the disease, the patients were divided into I to V grades, and the surgical methods were developed according to the grades. Postoperative visual analog score (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, sagittal index (SI) and ASIA grades of neurological function were observed. Results VAS score, ODI score and SI of all patients were significantly improved as compared with that before surgery, and the results of the final follow-up were statistically significant in comparison to preoperative outcome (P˂0.05). All the 16 patients with nerve injury showed significant improvement after surgery. The AISA grade were improved from grade C (14 cases), grade D (2 case) to grade D (4 cases) and grade E (12 cases). Conclusion Old OVCFs are difficult to treat. Graded surgery can better restore spinal stability and improve clinical outcomes.