Efficacy of balloon kyphoplasty in pain management of vertebral compression fractures

Abstract

Aim: Vertebral compression fractures lead to pain, significant spinal deformity and functional disability that severely limit the healthrelated quality of life. Although most patients respond to conservative treatment, it has been shown that more than 40% of patientsdo not achieve the desired reduction in pain within 1 year of onset of symptoms. Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty is often used torelieve symptoms and accelerate the recovery of function. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pain and functional outcomes ofpatients treated with percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty.Material and Methods: Data of 113 patients who underwent percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty with the diagnosis of vertebracompression fracture between January 2015 and June 2019 were scanned. Preoperative and postoperative Numeric Rating Scalescores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores with complications were evaluated.Results: 113 patients with 154 vertebral fractures were treated. 86 were female and 27 were male. The mean age was 76.8 years. L1(n=29) and Th12 (n=31) vertebral fractures were the most common. The mean duration of the procedure was 65.93 minutes, and themean volume of cement was 5.02 ml. Cement leakage was observed at 12 cases. Permanent neuromotor deficits or mortality wasnot observed at any of the patients. Following percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty, the NRS and ODI scores significantly improvedat the 6th month follow-up compared with preoperative scores, the NRS and ODI scores before the procedure were 8.8 and 49.2whereas the postoperative NRS and ODI were 2.2 and 18.1, which is.Conclusion: Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty is an effective procedure to control pain and improve health related quality of life. Thismethod has the advantage of improving and restoring the vertebral height and kyphotic deformity in osteoporotic or pathologicalvertebral compression fractures.