Indirect Decompression in Vertebral Reconstruction for Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures with Neurological Symptoms: A Preliminary Case Series

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and radiological outcome of “indirect decompression” using lateral-posterior combined surgery for osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) with neurological symptoms. Methods: A total of 17 patients who underwent lateral and posterior combined indirect decompressive spinal reconstruction (LP-IDR) for single-level OVF with neurological symptoms were included in this study. The neurological symptoms (sensory disturbance and muscle weakness) and imaging findings (local angle and height of the fracture segment and bone fragment occupancy in the spinal canal) were investigated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the 1-year follow-up. Results: Muscle weakness was observed preoperatively in ten patients. Nine patients had complete recovery of muscle weakness (p