Post-traumatic osteoporotic vertebral osteonecrosis treated using balloon kyphoplasty

Nineteen patients with post-traumatic osteoporotic vertebral osteonecrosis were treated using percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty. The anterior and middle vertebral heights, as well as the kyphotic angle, were measured using a standing lateral radiograph before surgery, 2 days after surgery and at the final follow-up. At the same time points, a visual analog scale and the Oswestry Disability Index were used to evaluate pain status and functional activity, respectively. The mean follow-up was 24.7 months (range: 7-36 months). Statistically significant improvements were observed between the preoperative and postoperative assessments for each evaluated measure (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the postoperative and final follow-up assessments (p>0.05). Asymptomatic cement leakage into the intervertebral disc occurred in three patients. This study suggests that balloon kyphoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for treating this disease entity.