To compare the clinical effect and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF).

One hundred and eighteen patients with thoracic and lumbar OVCF treated in Zhumadian First People’s Hospital from April 2018 to June 2020 who met the criateria were enrolled in the study, and they were divided into PVP group (58 cases) and PKP group (60 cases) according to random number table method. The degree of pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Cobb angle and wedge index of the two groups were observed before and after operation.

There was no significant difference in the postoperative visual analogue scale score between the two groups (P>0.05). The decrease of ODI of the PKP group was more significant 3 months after operation (P<0.05). Compared with the PVP group, Cobb angle of the injured vertebrae of the PKP group was significantly smaller, and the wedge index was significantly higher 3 days, 3 months and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the PKP group (11.67%, 7/60) and the PVP group (5.17%, 3/58), P>0.05.

Both PVP and PKP can effectively relieve the pain of OVCF patients, and improve the shape and function of the injured vertebrae. However, PKP can get better imaging effects and functional recovery.

Osteoporosis; Compression fractures; Percutaneous vertebroplasty; Percutaneous kyphoplasty; Pain