OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of the percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic Kummell's disease.

METHODSFrom May 2010 to February 2012, 8 patients with osteoporotic Kummell's disease were treated with percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty. There were 2 males and 6 females, with a mean age of 73.4 years. All the patients suffered from lower back pain for 4.7 months, which affected seriously the patient's quality of life. The anterior vertebral height and Cobb angel was measured on standing lateral radiograph at pre- and post-operatively (2 days after operation) and during the final follow-up. Visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate pain and function.

RESULTSIncision of all patients healed normally without infection. The level of back pain decreased remarkably after surgery. The mean time of ambulation was 4.3 days (ranged, 1 to 10 days). Cement leakage occurred in 1 case with no symptom. The anterior vertebral height and Cobb angel of the fractured vertebra recovered respectively from preoperative (30.4 +/- 7.4)% and (31.3 +/- 9.9) degree to (70.3 +/- 3.3)% and (9.1 +/- 3.0) degree at the 2nd day after operation. VAS and JOA scores, ODI improved from preoperative 8.7 +/- 1.2, 12.3 +/- 1.7 and (93.3 +/- 4.6)% to 3.1 +/- 1.1, 24.9 +/- 1.6 and (32.2 +/- 5.4)% respectively at the 2nd day after operation. All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 3 to 24 months, with a mean of 4.7 months. At the latest follow-up, the anterior vertebral height and Cobb angel of the fractured vertebra were (69.9 +/- 3.2)% and (10.9 +/- 2.4) degree; the VAS and JOA scores and ODI were 2.2 +/- 1.0, 26.4 +/- 1.4 and (29.2 +/- 4.5)% respectively, which had no obvious difference compared to those results at the 2nd day after operation.

CONCLUSIONBalloon kyphoplasty is safe and effective treatment for osteoporotic Kummell's disease.