Abstract Background: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) can cause significant pain and disability, often requiring surgical intervention. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of short-segment, cement-augmented posterior fixation for treating single-level thoracolumbar OVCFs. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 21 patients (15 females, six males; mean age 71.7 years) who underwent short-segment posterior fixation with cement augmentation between 2015 and 2022. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores for disability. Radiological parameters, including vertebral height and kyphotic angle, were assessed before and after surgery. Operative time, blood loss, and complications were also analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 21.0. Patient consent was obtained with due care to maintain privacy. Results: The mean follow-up period was 56.62 months. Both VAS and ODI scores improved significantly postoperatively ( P < 0.05). Mean blood loss was 145 mL, and mean operative time was 103 min. Significant improvements were also observed in kyphosis angle and anterior vertebral height ratio ( P < 0.001), with minimal loss of correction at the final follow-up. Four patients experienced complications: two had asymptomatic cement leakage, one had implant pull-out, and one developed infection requiring implant removal. Conclusions: Short-segment fixation with cement augmentation is a safe and effective minimally invasive approach for managing single-level thoracolumbar OVCFs, with the potential to preserve spinal motion segments.
Jagadish et al. (2026) studied this question.