Balloon Kyphoplasty as a Treatment for Vertebral Compression Fractures

Please note: All assessments are current as of the review date; however, new evidence that may have been published subsequently is not considered.
Review Date:	June 17, 2009
Recommendation:	It is recommended that balloon kyphoplasty with PMMA meets CTAF criteria 1-5 for safety, effectiveness and improvement in health outcomes for the treatment of recent (< 3mo. old) osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures confirmed by MRI. It is further recommended that balloon kyphoplasty does not meet CTAF criteria 3-5 for effectiveness and improvement in health outcomes for the treatment of chronic (>3mo.old) osteoporotic, traumatic or pathologic vertebral compression fractures.
Decision:	Partially Meets CTAF Criteria
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