Factors associated with new fractures in adjacent vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Objective: To investigate the predictive factors for new fractures in adjacent vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, thus providing new insights for clinical practice.

Methods: A total of 124 patients were retrospectively included in this study. Based on the presence of new vertebral compression fractures in adjacent vertebrae postoperatively, patients were divided into a non-fracture group and a new-fracture group. Data collected included the amount of bone cement injected into a single vertebral body, postoperative bone cement leakage into the intervertebral disc, the recovery rate of anterior vertebral height, and non-surgical factors such as age, gender, duration of postoperative chest and waist circumference, bone mineral density, the number of preoperative vertebral fractures, and the presence of fissure-like changes in the vertebral body. One-way ANOVA and chi-square tests were used to analyze the correlation between these factors and secondary fractures in adjacent vertebrae. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the main risk factors.

Results: Univariate analysis found that the amount of bone cement injected, the recovery rate of anterior vertebral height, the duration of chest and waist circumference, and bone mineral density were associated with new fractures in adjacent vertebrae (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the recovery rate of anterior vertebral height and bone mineral density were the main risk factors for new fractures in adjacent vertebrae.

Conclusion: Several factors are associated with new fractures in adjacent vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The recovery rate of anterior vertebral height and bone mineral density are the primary risk factors.