Mid-Term Clinical and Radiological Outcomes After Kyphoplasty in the Treatment of Thoracolumbar Traumatic Vertebral Compression Fractures

Background The management of thoracolumbar posttraumatic compression fractures varies widely among centers, and there is no real consensus as to the optimum approach. The objective of our retrospective study was to detect the progression of vertebral kyphosis in nonosteoporotic patients treated by balloon kyphoplasty (KPB) who presented with recent compression fractures of the thoracolumbar region. Methods In this retrospective study, we investigated the evolution of vertebral and regional kyphosis in 77 patients treated by KPB for compression vertebral fractures (Magerl A) between 2007 and 2011. All treated patients, even those lost to follow-up, were included in our statistical analysis. Results In the 77 patients, a 2.4° deterioration of vertebral kyphosis ( P  = 0.0004) and a 4.5° worsening of regional kyphosis ( P Conclusions The paucity of studies of posttraumatic vertebral compression fractures in the scientific literature explains the lack of consensus regarding the optimum treatment approach. Postoperative results with KPB favor vertebral and regional kyphosis stability. KPB remains indicated in this situation except in cases of for burst fracture.