Spinal sagittal imbalance in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:The reasons for spinal imbalance include spinal deformity, spinal degenerative disease osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. We believe that the power factor (back muscle) plays a key role in spinal sagittal imbalance. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the reasons for spinal sagittal imbalance by observing clinical manifestations and therapeutic outcomes in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS:A total of 41 patients with osteoporotic compression fractures combined with spinal sagittal imbalance were retrospectively analyzed from January 2012 to May 2013. Al patients were subjected to percutaneous bal oon vertebroplasty under local anesthesia. Before treatment, they received bone density, standing ful-spine lateral X-ray, CT and MR imaging with injured vertebrae as the center. Using standing ful-spine radiographs, the height of anterior border of the injured vertebrae, Cobb angle of kyphosis and improved angle, wedging angle of the injured vertebrae and improved angle were measured. The patients underwent weight loading test and walking test. Preoperative and postoperative data were compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The patients affected spinal sagittal imbalance symptoms, so the walking distance was significantly shorter than that postoperatively (P<0.05). Moreover, the time of weight loading test was significantly shorter than that postoperatively (P<0.05). In standing ful-spine radiographs, the average difference of Cobb angle was (10.01±0.76)°. The mean difference of vertebral wedging improvement was (4.84±0.40)° (P<0.05). Al patients were fol owed up. Low back pain and sagittal imbalance symptoms were relieved. No severe complications appeared after percutaneous bal oon vertebroplasty. Results indicated that patients with osteoporosis compression fractures can affect the symptoms of spinal sagittal imbalance, which is not only induced by wedging of the injured vertebra. In addition, after percutaneous bal oon vertebroplasty, imbalance symptoms are apparently improved, suggesting that back pain after spinal fracture limits back muscle strength and is an important cause for spinal sagittal imbalance.