[Balloon kyphoplasty for recent vertebral fractures in the elderly].
BACKGROUND
An increasing life expectancy is often accompanied by a possible increase of vertebral fractures. If operative therapy is necessary, open procedures might be problematic for elderly patients. In this case, balloon kyphoplasty might be an alternative.


METHODS
We present our prospective data of 30 patients with an average age of 72 years (range 65-82). The patients suffered from isolated thoracic and lumbar fractures (T6-L4) without neurological deficits and were operated on with balloon kyphoplasty. They were followed up an average of 13 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Before surgery, the patients' average kyphotic angle was 12 degrees . After reduction with balloon kyphoplasty, this angle was significantly improved to 7 degrees , and at follow-up it was 8 degrees . Back pain, which was determined by a visual analogous scale, showed a significant reduction from 8.2 to 2.6 points at follow-up. No significant relationship between preoperative pain and improvement of the kyphotic angle could be found. Patients with a bad fracture reposition showed significantly more pain at follow-up. However, there was no difference between the reference group and the examined patients' quality of life regarding general health.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent fractures of the thoracic or lumbar spine in elderly patients treated by balloon kyphoplasty showed good early results.
Schofer
M D
MD
Klinik für Orthopädie und Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinikum Giessen und Marburg GmbH, Standort Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35033 Marburg,. schofer@med.uni-marburg.de
Illian
C H
CH
Illian
J B
JB
Kortmann
H R
HR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000379:methods*