Kyphoplasty: report of eighty-two thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
OBJECTIVE
Document initial outcomes of balloon kyphoplasty.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of the first 52 patients with 82 painful vertebral body compression fractures secondary to osteoporosis treated at our institution.


METHODS
Operation on subacute painful fractures with office follow-up.


METHODS
First 82 fractures in 52 patients treated. All patients had failed nonoperative treatment and had magnetic resonance imaging scans documenting edematous changes of the vertebral body. Forty-nine out of 52 patients presented for follow-up at an average of 37 weeks.


METHODS
Minimally invasive balloon reduction via bilateral transpedicular or extrapedicular approaches followed by polymethyl methacrylate fixation.


METHODS
Vertebral body height, Cobb angle, visual analogue pain scale, Roland-Morris Disability Survey, and complication rate.


RESULTS
Mean length of follow-up was 9 months (37 weeks, range 4-99 weeks); improved height 4.6 and 3.9 mm in the anterior and medial columns, respectively (P > 0.05); Cobb angle increased 14% (P < 0.05), visual analogue pain scale score improved 7 points (P < 0.05); Roland-Morris Disability Survey improved 11 points (P < 0.05); no adverse medical or procedural complications; 9.8% cement leakage rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Balloon kyphoplasty safely improves vertebral body height and patient quality of life.
Rhyne
Alfred
A
Charlotte Orthopedic Research Institute, an affiliate of Charlotte Orthopedic Specialists, Charlotte, NC 28207, USA. arhyne@cosortho.com
Banit
Daxes
D
Laxer
Eric
E
Odum
Susan
S
Nussman
Donna
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D020366:Methylmethacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001843:Bone Cements; D020366:Methylmethacrylate