Background: Despite optimal drug-conservative therapy, a relevant percentage of patients with vertebral compression fractures (WKF) do not experience any relevant improvement in their pain symptoms. Vertebroplasty (VP) and kyphoplasty (KP) are described in the literature as percutaneous interventional procedures for the treatment of WKF.
Objective: Assessment of the effectiveness of the VP and KP in the treatment of WKF and discussion of the procedures in the context of the current literature.
Material and methods: Presentation of the fundamentals of VP and KP and their further developments. Description of indications and contraindications. Discussion of the current literature and recommendations of the individual professional associations.
Results: In patients with vertebral compression fractures, VP or KP of the affected vertebral body leads to a pain reduction in more than 90% of cases. Clinically relevant complications occur in less than 1% of interventions.
Conclusion: VP and KP are a safe and effective method for treating painful WKF. Optimal patient selection improves the clinical outcome.
Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Osteoporosis; Patient selection; Vertebral body augmentation; Vertebral column.