Vertebroplasty for spinal compression fractures

  Osteoporosis is a disease that currently affects people’s health, second only to tumors and cardiovascular diseases, and is most prevalent in the middle-aged and elderly population. Osteoporosis is a systemic metabolic disease characterized by reduced bone mass and degradation of bone tissue microstructure, resulting in increased brittleness of bone and increased risk of fracture.  At present, China has entered an elderly society, and it is estimated that about 80 million people suffer from osteoporosis of varying degrees. The direct consequence of osteoporosis leads to fractures of the skeletal system, which supports the body’s tissues, in response to minor violence and trauma, especially in the weight-bearing bones of the person, such as the vertebrae and the bone tissue of the hip. Spinal fractures or fractures of other parts of the spine are reported to occur in approximately 30% of older adults over the age of 65 each year.  Spinal vertebral compression fractures are an important complication of osteoporosis, resulting in long-term low back pain, transient intestinal obstruction and urinary retention, and in severe cases, lower limb paralysis due to compression of the spinal cord, as well as later spinal kyphosis, hunchback deformity, cardiovascular symptoms, insomnia, depression, and other psychiatric symptoms. In addition, osteoporotic spinal compression fractures also cause a decrease in the quality of life of the patient, which places a huge burden on the family and society. Because of this, it is extremely important to effectively treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.