The Effect of Kyphoplasy on the Load Transfer within the Lumbar Spine Considering the Biomechanical Response of Vertebral Bodies and Ligamentous Tissue

INTRODUCTION Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) caused by osteoporosis are an increasingly common occurrence. The annual incidents of vertebral fractures in Europe among elderly (50–79) are estimated at 1.1% for women and 0.6% for men, while epidemiologic studies foresee an increase of these numbers in the future [1]. Approximately 85% of these fractures are due to primary osteoporosis and the remainder due to secondary osteoporosis or malignancies [2]. These VCFs lead to progressive sagittal spinal deformity and changes in spine biomechanics. Patients diagnosed with a prevalent vertebral fracture are susceptible to further trauma in adjacent spine levels, with a fivefold increased risk [3,4].