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A Comparative Analysis of the Results of Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty in Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

BACKGROUND The most common complication of osteoporosis is vertebral fractures, which occur more frequently than all other fractures (hip, wrist, and ankle). OBJECTIVE To prospectively analyze vertebroplasty compared with kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures using improvement in pain, functional capacity, and quality of life as outcome measures. METHODS The study population included 28 patients in the vertebroplasty group and 24 patients in the kyphoplasty group. The mean follow-up period was 42.2 weeks and 42.3 weeks in the vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty groups, respectively. Outcomes were measured pre- and postoperatively using the visual analogue scale, the Oswestry Disability Index, the EuroQol-5D questionnaire, and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey. RESULTS In the vertebroplasty group, visual analogue scale scores improved from a mean of 8.0 cm to 5.5 cm at last follow-up (P = .001). Preoperatively, the Oswestry Disability Index was 57.6, which improved to 38.4 (P = .006). The EuroQol-5D score preoperatively was 0.157 and improved to 0.504 (P = .001). The Short-Form 36 Health Survey showed greatest improvement in the areas of physical health, role physical, body pain, and vitality. In the kyphoplasty group, visual analogue scale scores improved from a mean of 7.5 cm preoperatively to 2.5 cm postoperatively (P = .000001). The mean Oswestry Disability Index preoperatively was 50.7 and improved to 28.8 (P = .002). The EuroQol-5D score improved from a mean of 0.234 preoperatively to 0.749 (P = .00004). The Short-Form 36 Health Survey showed greatest improvement in the areas of physical health, physical functioning, role physical, body pain, and social functioning. CONCLUSION Both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are effective at improving pain, functional disability, and quality of life; however, kyphoplasty provides better results, which are maintained over long-term follow-up.