Minimally invasive treatment of chronic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the elderly

Abstract

Objective To study a new method of minimally invasive balloon kyphoplasty (PKP)for treatment of chronic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Methods The study involved 27 patients with chronic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated with PKP in our hospital from February 2007 to February 2009. There were 11 males and 16 females, at mean age of 72.4 years (range 55-86 years). The history of chronic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures ranged 3-17 months (mean 7.6 months). The pathological changes were determined at one stage in 25 patients and at two stage in two. According to the Genant classification, there were 10 patients (11 vertebrae) at grade two and 17 patients (18 vertebrae) at grade three. Before operation, the visual analog scale (VAS) score was average 8.3, the ratio of compression height of the anterior vertebral body to the posterior vertebral body was 39% by X-ray measurement and the kyphosis angle was average 15.60°. All patients received PKP under local anesthesia. Results Patients were followed up for average 11.2 months, which showed that all the patients achieved significant pain relief and ambulation at days 3 or 4 after operation. Cardiorespiratory function was significantly improved, with no reoccurrence of pain or severe complications found.After operation, the VAS score was average 2.8, ratio of compression height of the anterior vertebral body to the posterior vertebral body was average 47.6% and the kyphosis angle was average 15.60°. Conclusions Minimally invasive PKP can achieve rapid relief of pain, help early ambulation, decrease various complications resulting from long-term confinement to bed and improve cardiorespiratory function for elderly patients with chronic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures of the vertebral body mainly with pain but without nerve injury. Key words: Spinal fractures, aged; Osteoporosis