ABSTRACT
Vertebral compression fractures are the most common fragility fractures, and they
have significant medical and economical consequences. Conventional medical therapy
for these fractures is aimed at treatment of symptoms with bed rest, analgesic medications,
and bracing. Surgery is reserved for those patients with neurological deficits or
compression of neural elements. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) has emerged as a
minimally invasive treatment option to strengthen the fractured vertebra and to relieve
associated pain. Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is a novel technique designed to relieve
pain, strengthen the fractured vertebra, and restore the height of the compressed
vertebra, thus minimizing the spinal deformity and its adverse sequelae. This article
provides a brief introduction to this new technique and its current status in clinical
practice.
KEYWORDS
Vertebral compression fracture - vertebroplasty - kyphoplasty