Early Radiographic and Clinical Results of Balloon Kyphoplasty for the Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

Abstract

Kyphoplasty improves physical function, reduces pain, and may correct kyphotic deformity associated with vertebral compression fractures.

Efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures: a systematic review

“…Thus, the results obtained by Garfin [15] indicate that in patients with a baseline loss of height equivalent to over 15% of the estimated normal value, the favorable effects of the technique only reach statistical significance in the case of fractures less than 60 days old. On the other hand, the results of a prospective study [10] specifically contrasting the results of BK in acute VCFs (defined as being less than 10 weeks [4,10,13,18,21,42,53,58] that consider the absolute value of the Cobb angle show the latter to decrease after kyphoplasty, though the mean reduction varies between )1.8°and )9.9°. The combined examination of the studies [4,10,13,18,42,53] that contribute data amenable to analysis confirms that following BK, the absolute value of this angle decreases significantly (Fig.…”

“…In osteoporotic VCFs, the number of levels in which the kyphotic deformity is reduced varies between 57 [42] and 85% [4]; in this context, it should be taken into account that the authors use different criteria for defining correction.…”

“…The authors of two studies indicate that the degree of reduction of the kyphotic deformity is not correlated to the level treated [4,42] or to pain relief [4].…”

“…The impact on functional capacity has been analyzed in nine studies, though two [22,42] fail to specify the evaluation approach adopted. The results of individual studies (Table 1) show significant improvements with any of the measurement instruments used, i.e., back function index [15], the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire [43] or walking status [13,28].…”

Comparing effects of kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty, and non-surgical management in a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized controlled studies

“…There is controversy regarding the optimal time of intervention, with some authorities recommending early intervention [61,71] and others suggesting that late augmentation does not compromise outcome [25,72]. The majority of VP studies that yielded significant pain relief (greater than a 4 point drop) had a mean fracture age less than 7 weeks (see Fig.…”