Promising results reported for balloon kyphoplasty in spinal fractures

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

In older adults with osteoporosis-related spinal fractures, balloon kyphoplasty gives a good outcome.
Osteoporosis weakens the bones, and may result in spinal fractures. A study from the University of California now reveals that a procedure called balloon kyphoplasty is a good way of tackling this kind of spinal fracture. In balloon kyphoplasty, a balloon is used to line up fragments of spinal fracture and then an acrylic cement is injected to hold them in place.

In this study, 155 patients were evaluated, 43 of whom had two or more fractures treated with balloon kyphoplasty. Before treatment, the patients had severe back pain which impaired quality of life and ability to undertake everyday activities. Balloon kyphoplasty led to a reduction in pain within a week which lasted through two years of follow up. There were also lasting improvements in physical functioning and quality of life. Around 60 per cent of the patients were 'completely satisfied' with the results. This is the first study to show the long-term effect of balloon kyphoplasty - other research has pronounced it effective in the short term.

Source
Spine 1st September 2006

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