Balloon kyphoplasty for symptomatic vertebral body compression fractures results in rapid, significant, and sustained improvements in back pain, function, and quality of life for elderly patients.

STUDY
DESIGN: Prospective, single-arm interventional cohort.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of balloon kyphoplasty to treat symptomatic vertebral body compression fractures (VCFs). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: VCFs treated nonoperatively can diminish function and quality of life, and lead to chronic health effects. The short-term safety and effectiveness of balloon kyphoplasty for symptomatic VCFs are well-documented, but long-term follow-up is needed.
METHODS: A total of 155 elderly patients with symptomatic VCFs were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter treatment study of balloon kyphoplasty at 19 geographically diverse US centers. Outcomes included back pain severity, bedrest, and limited activities because of back pain, back disability score, and SF-36 Medical Outcomes Survey, at 7 days (visual analog scale only), and 1, 3, 12, and 24 months after treatment.
RESULTS: Patients reported severe back pain (15/20 on visual analog scale) interfering with daily activities 90% of days per month before kyphoplasty. Physical functioning and quality of life were also markedly impaired. Statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvements occurred in all pain, functional, and mental health outcomes at the first follow-up after treatment and were maintained for 24 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with symptomatic VCFs had rapid, significant, and sustained improvements in back pain, back function, and quality of life following balloon kyphoplasty.