Reply to the editor: Surgical Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture with Neurological Deficit—A Nationwide Multicenter Study in Japan

Abstract

We herein respond to the authors of the Letter to the Editor regarding our article entitled "Surgical Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture with Neurological Deficit—A Nationwide Multicenter Study in Japan." As osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) predominantly occur in the elderly population, initial management should include less invasive methods, such as conservative treatment. Generally, most patients can be managed without surgery; however, if surgery is unavoidable, minimally invasive techniques, such as balloon kyphoplasty, should be considered. Patients with neurological deficits due to vertebral collapse with apparent posterior wall injury or nonunion, who have failed to respond to conservative treatment, are the candidates for spinal fusion surgery. The aim of the present study is to reveal the relevance of performing spinal fusion surgery in elderly patients with OVFs who exhibit severe symptoms, who do not respond to conservative treatment, and in whom fusion surgery is not recommended as the first choice of treatment.