Wang SC, Sheng B. Minimally invasive vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. World J Orthop 2026; 17(7): 121094 [DOI: 10.5312/wjo.121094]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Bin Sheng, MD, Department of Orthopedics, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), No. 90 Pingchuan Road, Yuelu District, Changsha 410005, Hunan Province, China. shengbin2009@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Orthopedics
Article-Type of This Article
review-article
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Orthop. Jul 18, 2026; 17(7): 121094 Published online Jul 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.121094
Minimally invasive vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Sheng-Chun Wang, Bin Sheng
Sheng-Chun Wang, Bin Sheng, Department of Orthopedics, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha 410000, Hunan Province, China
Author contributions: Wang SC designed the study and drafted the manuscript; Sheng B critically revised the manuscript; Wang SC and Sheng B reviewed the literature, interpreted the evidence, and approved the final version of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: AI-assisted language tools were used only for limited language refinement, grammar correction, wording optimization, and editorial assistance during manuscript preparation.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Corresponding author: Bin Sheng, MD, Department of Orthopedics, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), No. 90 Pingchuan Road, Yuelu District, Changsha 410005, Hunan Province, China. shengbin2009@163.com
Received: March 16, 2026 Revised: April 19, 2026 Accepted: May 19, 2026 Published online: July 18, 2026 Processing time: 117 Days and 7.8 Hours
Abstract
Minimally invasive vertebral augmentation is central to the management of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) in selected patients. This evidence review summarizes current concepts in the pathogenesis, clinical evaluation, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, complications, long-term outcomes, and emerging technologies in OVCFs. Relevant literature from major databases was narratively reviewed, with emphasis on studies involving adult OVCFs, clinical indications, comparative outcomes, and complication prevention. Percutaneous vertebroplasty and percutaneous kyphoplasty both provide rapid pain relief and facilitate mobilization. Kyphoplasty generally offers better vertebral height restoration and kyphosis correction, whereas vertebroplasty is technically simpler, shorter, and often more suitable when procedural burden must be minimized. Current decision-making should integrate fracture acuity, degree of collapse, pain severity, comorbidity profile, and osteoporosis treatment. Recent advances in high-viscosity cement, navigation, robotics, and artificial intelligence may improve accuracy and safety. Long-term benefit depends not only on procedural success but also on comprehensive anti-osteoporosis management and careful patient selection.
Core Tip: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are not managed by a single procedure-centered algorithm. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is often favored when rapid, lower-burden stabilization is needed, whereas percutaneous kyphoplasty is more attractive when vertebral collapse or kyphotic deformity is substantial. The best outcomes depend on matching the procedure to fracture acuity, collapse severity, symptoms, comorbidity burden, and ongoing osteoporosis treatment.
