Effects of vertebral height restoration of vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebra compression fractures

Objective:To evaluate the effect of vertebral height restoration of vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebra compression fractures(VCFs).Methods:From October 2004 to June 2007,a total of 37 patients with 40 VCFs were treated by vertebroplasty.There were 12 males and 25 females with a mean age of(72.4±12.7) years(ranged,48 to 87).Pain easement state was evaluated by visual analog scale(VAS) before and after operation,as well as in followed-up.Preoperative and postoperative vertebral height,kyphosis angle at fractured levels were measured on X-rays.Results:All of patients were followed-up for 12 to 47 months(averaged,35.8±9.6).The VAS score was 8.4±1.6 before operative,2.1±1.2 at the 2nd day after operative,there were significant difference between pre-and postoperative(P0.05);the average follow-up VAS was 1.6±0.9,there were significant difference as compared with the preoperative(P0.05).Lateral X-ray showed that the preoperative degree of vertebral height in the of anterior and middle vertebral were(72.0±10.6)% and(68.0±15.6)%,and postoperative were(76.0±8.6)% and(73.0±6.1)%,respectively.There were no significant difference in vertebral height between preoperative and postoperative.The vertebral kyphosis angle was corrected from preoperative(7.8±2.7) degree to postoperative(8.1±2.3) degree.Conclusion:Vertebroplasty is a safe and effective method for treatment of osteoporotic VCFs,it can relieve the pain effectively.Failure to restore vertebaral height does not seem to interfere with the excellent pain management.