[Treatment of severe vertebral compressive fractures in the elderly with percutaneous vertebroplasty].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of treating severe and chronic vertebral compressive fractures in the elderly with percutaneous vertebroplasty.

METHODS

Sixteen patients who suffered from severe back pain and whose daily living was badly affected were retrospectively reviewed. The average age was 72.5 years, the average disease history was 19 months, and the average compressive rate of the affected vertebral bodies was 74.1%.

RESULTS

Nineteen affected compressive vertebral bodies in 16 cases were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty. All the procedures were successful without any complication. After 3.5-7 ml of cement was injected into the lesions, complete relief was achieved in 3 cases, remarkable relief was achieved in 11 cases, and improvement was observed in 2 cases. The scores of 6-point Behavioral Rating Scale and Activity of Daily Living (ADL) declined significantly after the treatment (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous vertebroplasty can significantly improve the symptoms and quality of life in the elderly patients with severe and chronic vertebral compressive fractures.