title: Kyphoplasty: report of eighty-two thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Charlotte Orthopedic Research Institute, an affiliate of Charlotte Orthopedic Specialists, Charlotte, NC 28207, USA. arhyne@cosortho.com
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rhyne
authors.forename: Daxes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Banit
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Laxer
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Odum
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nussman
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D020366:Methylmethacrylate