Abstract: Objective To compare the efficacy of vertebroplasty and curved vertebroplasty in the treatment of elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF). Methods From January 2018 to December 2019, 108 elderly patients with OVCF in our hospital were selected and divided into group A and group B by using random number table, with 54 cases in each group. Group A was treated with conventional vertebroplasty bone cement injection, and group B was treated with curved vertebroplasty bone cement injection treatment. The distribution of bone cement, leakage rate, and the incidence rate of re-fracture were compared between the two groups. All the patients were followed up for 12 months after operation. The anterior edge height of injured vertebral body, Oswestry dysfunction index, and the score of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in both groups were recorded and compared before and after operation. Results The ideal rate of bone cement distribution in group B was 88.89%, compeared with 37.04% in group A (P<0.01). Twelve months after operation, the anterior edge height of injured vertebral body in both groups was significantly higher than that before operation (P<0.01), and the Oswestry dysfunction index in both groups was significantly lower than that before operation(P<0.01), but there were no significant differences in the two indexes between group A and group B (P＞0.05). The score of VAS 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after operation in both groups was significantly lower than that before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the score of VAS between the two groups 1 month and 3 months after operation (P>0.05). The score of VAS in group B was significantly lower than that in group A 6 months and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). The rate of bone cement leakage in group B was 12.96%, compared with 29.63% in group A (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of postoperative vertebral re-fracture between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Compared with vertebroplasty, curved vertebroplasty in the treatment of elderly patients with OVCF has better bone cement distribution, lower leakage rate, and more obvious improvement in long-term pain.

Key words: vertebroplasty, curved vertebroplasty, osteoporosis, vertebral compression fracture, bone cement distribution, aged