BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) is a common consequence of osteoporosis and can significantly impact the quality of life for affected individuals. Despite treatment options such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, many patients continue to experience residual back pain (RBP) even after the fracture has healed. The incidence of RBP after OVCF treatment varies among studies, and there is a need for further research to understand the risk factors associated with RBP.
METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases were searched, and relevant studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. Statistical analysis included single-proportion meta-analyses and pooling of odds ratios (OR) using the inverse-variance method, to calculate the overall incidences of RBP and cement leakage and identify risk factors associated with RBP.
RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were included in the analysis. The overall incidences of RBP and cement leakage were found to be 16% and 18%, respectively. Several risk factors were identified, including gender, bone mineral density, depression, baseline visual analog scale (VAS) score, intravertebral vacuum cleft, number of fractured segments, cement distribution, history of vertebral fracture, thoracolumbar fascial injury, and fracture non-union.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides potential value within the scope of the incidence and risk factors of RBP following treatment of OVCFs. The identified risk factors can help clinicians identify high-risk patients and tailor appropriate interventions. Future research should focus on standardizing the definition of RBP and patient selection criteria to improve the accuracy of estimates and facilitate better management strategies for OVCF patients.

The present study collected retrospective research data and compared the safety and efficacy of unilateral and bilateral percutaneous puncture kyphoplasty for the treatment of vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis, to guide the selection of clinical surgical methods. In the present meta-analysis, PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched from the establishment of the databases to March 2023. Studies that reported differences in the efficacy and safety between the unilateral and bilateral approaches in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were included in the analysis. Duplicate published studies, unpublished studies, studies with incomplete data, animal experiments, literature reviews and systematic studies were excluded from the analysis. All data were processed using STATA 15.1 statistical software. The pooled results demonstrated that there were no significant differences between the unilateral and bilateral approaches in the visual analog scores, Oswestry disability index, height restoration rate or incidence of cement leakage. However, the post-kyphotic angle of the unilateral approach was significantly lower than that of the bilateral approach (standardized mean difference, -0.41; 95% confidence interval, -0.68 to -0.14; P=0.003). Furthermore, the pooled results demonstrated that the unilateral approach required less operative time and a lower volume of injected cement, which is safer for elderly patients who are more likely to have underlying diseases.

Percutaneous curved vertebroplasty (PCVP), a modified traditional unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty (UPVP) technique, is increasingly being used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs); however, its advantages remain controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether PCVP is superior to traditional UPVP in treating OVCFs.
Six databases were searched for studies comparing the clinical efficacy of PCVP and UPVP in treating patients with OVCFs published until March 2023. After study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias evaluation, a meta-analysis was conducted. The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO platform (registration number: CRD42023417190).
Eight studies (6 randomized controlled trials and 2 cohort studies) were eligible for the final analysis. The pooled results revealed no between-group differences in operation time (P = 0.85), intraoperative fluoroscopy (P = 0.58), or postoperative short-term visual analog scale scores (P = 0.15). However, PCVP was associated with more injected cement (P = 0.003), a lower cement leakage rate (P = 0.006), and a lower final follow-up visual analog scale score (P < 0.0001).
PCVP was superior to UPVP in terms of reducing the bone cement leakage rate and providing long-term pain relief. Further trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are required to verify these findings owing to the potential risk of bias.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous kyphoplasty is a popular technique in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, but intracardiac cement embolism can be a life-threatening complication.Case presentation: The authors present a case involving a patient who developed dyspnea and chest tightness after percutaneous kyphoplasty. Echocardiography and chest computed tomography confirmed several foreign bodies in the right atrium and pulmonary arteries causing cardiac perforation and pericardial tamponade. Conservative treatment was administered, and the patient died of respiratory and heart failure.
CONCLUSIONS: The present case highlights that surgical removal may be the first-choice treatment for symptomatic intracardiac cement embolism.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and kyphoplasty (PKP) have been widely used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF), but the risk of vertebral re-fracture after PVP/PKP remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors of vertebral re-fracture after PVP/PKP.
METHODS: Relevant literatures published up to November 2021 were collected from PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. A meta-analysis was performed to extract data associated with risk factors of SVCF following the PRISMA guidelines. Also, pooled odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated.
RESULTS: A total of 23 studies, encompassing 9372 patients with OVCF, met the inclusion criteria. 1255 patients (13.39%) suffered re-fracture after PVP/PKP surgery. A total of 22 studies were from Eastern Asia and only 1 study was from Europe. Female sex (OR = 1.34, 95%CI 1.09-1.64, P = 0.006), older age (WMD = 2.04, 95%CI 0.84-3.24, P = 0.001), lower bone mineral density (BMD, WMD = - 0.38, 95%CI - 0.49-0.26, P < 0.001) and bone cement leakages (OR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.40-3.00, P < 0.001) increased the risk of SVCF. The results of subgroup analysis showed the occurrence of re-fracture was significantly associated with gender (P = 0.002), age (P = 0.001) and BMD (P < 0.001) in Eastern Asia. Compared with the unfractured group, anterior-to-posterior vertebral body height ratio (AP ratio, WMD = 0.06, 95%CI 0.00-0.12, P = 0.037) and visual analog scale score (VAS, WMD = 0.62, 95%CI 0.09-1.15, P = 0.022) were higher in the refracture group, and kyphotic angle correction ratio (Cobb ratio, WMD = - 0.72, 95%CI - 1.26-0.18, P = 0.008) was smaller in Eastern Asia. In addition, anti-osteoporosis treatment (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.27-0.60, P < 0.001) could be a protective factor.
CONCLUSIONS: The main factors associated with re-fracture after PVP/PKP are sex, age, bone mineral density, AP ratio, Cobb ratio, VAS score, bone cement leakage and anti-osteoporosis treatment, especially in Eastern Asia.

This study was designed to help elucidate the benefits and advantages of vertebroplasty combined with zoledronic acid (ZOL) versus vertebroplasty alone, to provide clinical recommendations for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) considering the current best-available evidence.
We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library and performed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials and retrospective comparative studies assessing these important indexes of 2 methods using Review Manager 5.4.
Four randomized controlled trials and 4 retrospective studies including 2335 cases were identified. Vertebroplasty combined with ZOL was associated with benefits from decreased pain (weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.59 to -0.27; P < 0.05), increased function (WMD -4.94; 95% CI -6.13 to -3.75; P < 0.05), increased BMD of the vertebral body(WMD 0.85; 95% CI 0.30-1.40; P < 0.05) and of the proximal femoral neck (WMD 0.14; 95% CI 0.08-0.21; P < 0.05), fewer markers of bone metabolism (N-terminal molecular fragment: WMD -4.82; 95% CI -6.08 to -3.55; P < 0.05; procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide: WMD -17.31; 95% CI -18.04 to -16.58; P < 0.05; beta collagen degradation product: WMD -0.27; 95% CI -0.35 to -0.19; P < 0.05), and lower rate of refracture (1.54% and 12.6%; odds ratio 0.17; 95% CI 0.08-0.36; P < 0.05). Patients in the vertebroplasty combined with ZOL group had greater vertebral body height (WMD 2.17; 95% CI 0.72-3.62; P < 0.05) than in the vertebroplasty group, but no differences on Cobb angle were observed (WMD -1.18; 95% CI -2.47 to 0.10; P > 0.05).
Vertebroplasty combined with ZOL was superior to vertebroplasty alone in terms of BMD, bone metabolism makers, refracture rate, pain and function.

To evaluate the risk factors of cemented vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). We performed a literature search on cemented vertebral refracture after PVA using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library medical databases. The clinical data, including literature information, basic patient information, observational factors, and interventional factors, were extracted by two authors. The pooled results and related heterogeneity of each factor between the refracture group and the non-refracture group were evaluated using Review Manager software 5.35. A total of 3185 patients from 10 studies were included, with 195 patients in the refracture group and 2990 patients in the non-refracture group. The mean follow-up duration was 18.9 months. According to the meta-analysis, age, low bone marrow density (BMD), intravertebral cleft (IVC), high anterior vertebral height (AVH) restoration/high Cobb angle restoration, and low cement dose were the risk factors of cemented vertebral refracture after PVA. Our results showed that age, low BMD, IVC, high AVH restoration, high Cobb angle restoration, and low cement dose were the risk factors for cemented vertebral refracture after PVA.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis was aimed to explore the overall safety and efficacy of balloon kyphoplasty versus percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) based on qualified studies.
METHODS: By searching multiple databases and sources, including PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase by the index words updated to January 2018, qualified studies were identified and relevant literature sources were also searched. The qualified studies included randomized controlled trials, prospective or retrospective comparative studies, and cohort studies. The meta-analysis was performed including mean difference (MD) or relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) to analyze the main outcomes.
RESULTS: A total of 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis to explore the safety and efficacy of kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty for the treatment of OVCF. The results indicated that kyphoplasty significantly decreased the kyphotic wedge angle (SMD, 0.98; 95% CI 0.40-1.57), increased the postoperative vertebral body height (SMD, - 1.27; 95% CI - 1.86 to - 0.67), and decreased the risk of cement leakage (RR, 0.62; 95% CI 0.47-0.80) in comparison with vertebroplasty. However, there was no statistical difference in visual analog scale (VAS) scores (WMD, 0.04; 95% CI - 0.28-0.36) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores (WMD, - 1.30; 95% CI - 3.34-0.74) between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Kyphoplasty contributes especially to decreasing the mean difference of kyphotic wedge angle and risk of cement leakage and increasing the vertebral body height when compared with vertebroplasty. But radiographic differences did not significantly influence the clinical results (no significant difference was observed in VAS scores and ODI scores between the two groups); thus, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are equally effective in the clinical outcomes of OVCF. In addition, more high-quality multi-center RCTs with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are warranted to confirm the current findings.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the unilateral and bilateral approaches in treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
METHODS: Based on the principles and methods of the Cochrane systematic reviews, the records of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese Bio-medicine database, China Journal Full-text Database, VIP database, and Wanfang database were reviewed until October 2014. The randomized controlled trials on unilateral and bilateral approaches to percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP)/percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were included. The risk of bias of included trials was assessed based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version. The RevMan Software 5.0 was used for meta-analysis.
RESULTS: Fifteen randomized controlled trials with a total of 850 patients were included. Risk of bias in the included studies was inevitable. There was no statistically significant difference in visual analog scale, vertebral height, kyphotic angular, and quality of life. The main operative complications were bone cement leakage and adjacent vertebral fracture, without difference between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS: In view of the current evidence, there is insufficient evidence to show any difference between the unilateral and bilateral approaches in both the PVP and PKP treatment in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
METHODS: Level I, Therapeutic study.

Vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is a common fragility fracture and the starting point of a lasting, painful, disabling condition. The aim was to summarize evidence of person-centered/non-medical interventions supporting women with VCF. Results show small numbers of studies with only probable effect on function, pain, QoL, fear of falling, and psychological symptoms. The vertebral compression fracture (VCF) caused by osteoporosis is the third most common fragility fracture worldwide. Previously, it was believed that the pain caused by VCF was self-subsiding within weeks or a few months post-fracture. However, this positive prognosis has been refuted by studies showing that, for the great majority of patients, the VCF was the starting point of a long-lasting, severely painful, and disabling condition. The low number of studies focusing on the experience of the natural course of VCF, and what support is available and how it is perceived by those affected, calls for further investigation. Strengthening older patients\' sense of security and increasing confidence in their own abilities are of great importance for successful rehabilitation following VCF. More research is needed to identify resources, possibilities, and strategies that can assist older patients to reach their goals to improve well-being. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify and summarize the current evidence of person-centered or other structured non-medical/non-surgical interventions supporting older women after experiencing an osteoporotic VCF. A systematic literature search was conducted on the MeSH terms encompassing osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures in the PubMed-MEDLINE and Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases during March through June 2015. The initial search identified 8789 articles, but only seven articles (six randomized controlled trials and one observational study with a control group) met the inclusion criteria. It became evident from the current study that the availability of evidence on the effects of non-medical interventions aiming to support older women with VCF is limited, to say the least. The trials included in this review have few limitations and were mainly considered to be of moderate quality. This systematic literature review suggests that non-medical interventions aiming to support older women with VCF might decrease levels of pain and use of analgesic as well as promote improved physical mobility and function. These interventions would probably result in an improved difference in experiences of fear of falling and perceived psychological symptoms, but would only slightly improve quality of life. However, given the nature of the seven studies, potential biases in patient selection, issues around precision with small cohorts, and failure to control for confounders, makes it difficult to draw a definitive conclusion about the significant effects of non-medical interventions. Incurring a VCF is a complex and diverse event, necessitating equally complex interventions to identify new ways forward. However, to date, interventions struggle with a risk of selection bias in that only the needs of the healthiest of the population are addressed and the voices of the remaining majority of the people affected by VCF are unheard.