Biomechanical Evaluation of Osteoporotic Spine Models Treated with Balloon Kyphoplasty (BKP) Procedure

M. H. Mazlan, M. Todo, H. Takano, I. Yonezawa, A. H. Abdullah, M. H. Jalil, N. S. Md Salleh

Abstract: The underlying cause of the high incidence of subsequent fractures following Balloon Kyphoplasty (BKP) in both the augmented and adjacent vertebrae is still unknown. To date, medical practitioners are still unable to explain the fundamental cause of this phenomenon. Image-based finite element analysis was used to investigate the effectiveness of BKP treatment on two postoperative osteoporotic spine models. The biomechanical responses of the spine models were evaluated and compared based on the models’ load sharing mechanisms, stiffness recovery, stability, and kyphotic deformity restoration. The results showed that the first case model exhibited superior biomechanical responses in all conditions to the second case model. The incidences of subsequent fractures were characterized by the higher strain energy density and the densely distributed deformation elements in those areas. Thus, the BKP treatment should be commenced by evaluating osteoporosis severity before any attempt at surgery is made.

Series on Biomechanics, Vol.36 No.2 (2022), 63-77
DOI: 10.7546/SB.36.2022.02.06

Keywords: Compression fracture; Finite element; Kyphoplasty; Osteoporosis

Date published: 2022-06-17