Efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty on vertebral compression fractures with different bone mineral densities: a retrospective study

Background This study was performed to investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for vertebral compression fractures with different bone mineral densities (BMD). Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 232 patients with single-segment vertebral compression fractures who underwent PKP. Patients were divided into the normal BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups according to their average lumbar BMD before surgery. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to compare differences in pain relief before and after surgery in each group. Corrections of the wedge angle and kyphotic angle before and after surgery were observed using anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and compared among the groups, as was the incidence of bone cement leakage. Results Patients were followed up for 6–12 months, with an average follow-up time of 9.12 ± 1.68 months. The VAS score, wedge angle, and kyphotic angle of the three groups of patients decreased significantly at the end of the follow-up ( P < 0.05). The changes in VAS score and wedge angle correction in the osteoporosis group were significantly larger than those in the normal BMD and osteopenia groups ( P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of kyphotic angle correction or bone cement leakage rates ( P > 0.05). Conclusions PKP has a positive effect on vertebral compression fractures with different BMD, and is especially suitable for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.