OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty for the aged osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

METHODSFrom June 2006 to August 2009, balloon kyphoplasty was performed on 26 patients (30 vertebral bodies), who presented painful vertebral compression fractures. They were 10 males and 16 femals, with an average age of 70 years ranging from 59 to 78 years. The operative segments were 4 cases in T11 vertebraes, T12 in 10, L1 in 12, L2 in 3, L4 in 1. The reduction of compressed vertebrae was displayed by X-ray, and the patients were followed up by observation of the visual analog scale and complications.

RESULTSAll cases had rapid, significant and sustained improvements in postoperative pain following balloon kyphoplasty. Visual analog scale was reduced from (8.6 +/- 0.2) to (2.0 +/- 0.3) points. The anterior and midline vertebral body heights in 30 fractured vertebral bodies increased from pre-operative (18.34 +/- 3.25) mm, (14.36 +/- 2.56) mm up to pro-operative (20.51 +/- 1.34) mm, (19.66 +/- 1.28) mm (P < 0.05) respectively. No severe leakage occured.

CONCLUSIONBalloon kyphoplasty in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can restore the height of fractured vertebra, relieve pain and improve the spinal function with satisfactory clinical outcomes.