ObjectiveTo study the effects of the percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP) in the treatment of adjacent vertebral fractures after osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCFs).

MethodsTwenty-one patients with OVCFs and 10 patients in thoracic vertebrae and 11 patients in lumbar vertebrae, were selected, and treated with PKP combined with standardized anti-osteoporosis drugs again.The operation was recorded.The pain visual analogue(VAS) scores, Oswestry dysfunction index(ODI), vertebral body height ratio and Cobb angle between before operation and after 1 month, 6 months and 1 year of operation were compared, and the incidence of complications were recorded in all cases.

ResultsThe operations of all patients were successfully completed, and the time of surgery, amount of bleeding and amount of bone cement injection were (49.45±6.43) min, (23.23±4.87) mL and (4.91±1.21) mL, respectively.After 1 month, 6 months and 1 year of operation, the VAS score and Cobb angle were significantly lower than those before operation, and the ODI and vertebral body height ratio were significantly higher than those before operation(P < 0.01).After 6 months and 1 year of operation, the VAS score was significantly lower than that at postoperative 1 month, and the ODI was significantly higher than that that at postoperative 1 month(P < 0.05).The height ratio of the anterior border of the vertebral body at postoperative 1 year was significantly lower than that after 1 and 6 months of operation(P < 0.05).Three patients with chronic low back pain were found after operation, and no incision infection, bone cement leakage and vertebral body fracture occurred.

ConclusionsThe PKP in treating adjacent vertebral fractures after OVCFs can effectively reduce pain symptoms, restore vertebral height, and is safe and effective.