Pain outcome and vertebral body height restoration in patients undergoing kyphoplasty.
BACKGROUND
Kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive technique, has recently been developed to provide immediate pain relief, biomechanical stabilization, prevention of fracture progression, vertebral height restoration, and prevention or reversal of kyphosis to patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF).


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 24 patients treated with kyphoplasty. A total of 37 vertebral levels were augmented. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were documented in the immediate pre- and postoperative period, as well as 4, 12, and 72 weeks after the procedure. Vertebral body height restoration was assessed on postoperative x-rays.


RESULTS
Mean preoperative VAS score was 9.3 and improved to 5.4 in the immediate postoperative period. At 4, 12 and 72 weeks post-operatively, mean VAS scores were 5.1, 5.9, and 6.1 respectively. All patients returned to their daily activities within 24 hours. No significant restoration of vertebral body height was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In regards to pain relief and postoperative functional outcome, kyphoplasty is a safe and effective treatment modality for osteoporotic VCFs, even when no significant restoration of vertebral body height is achieved.
Machinis
Theofilos G
TG
Department of Neurosurgery, The Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, GA, USA.
Fountas
Kostas N
KN
Feltes
Carlos H
CH
Johnston
Kim W
KW
Robinson
Joe S
JS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001827:Body Height; D005260:Female; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome