Efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty in treating stage III Kümmell disease without neurological injury.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for Kümmell's disease with vertebral posterior wall defects but no neurological symptoms. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 79 patients with Kümmell disease, who were divided into an experimental group (with vertebral posterior wall rupture, n = 46) and a control group (with vertebral posterior wall intact, n = 33) based on imaging findings. Their vertebral height recovery, kyphosis correction, cement leakage rate, VAS scores, and postoperative changes were compared. RESULTS: After 10-26 months (avg. 18.9 months) of follow-up, both groups improved in vertebral height and Cobb angle post-operation. The control group had better postoperative vertebral height and Cobb angle recovery. At the last follow-up, the experimental group had more height and Cobb angle loss. VAS scores improved in both groups with no difference between them. There were 5 cement leakage cases in the experimental group and 3 in the control group, with no neurological symptoms (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PKP is safe and effective for stage III Kümmell's disease with or without posterior wall integrity. However, having intact posterior walls is better for maintaining vertebral height in long-term.