Clinical Study on Percutaneous Spinal Endoscopic Treatment for New-Onset Lumbosacral Pain Following Vertebral Augmentation Procedures.

Abstract

This study investigated the feasibility of using percutaneous spinal endoscopic decompression to treat new-onset low back and leg pain in patients who had previously undergone vertebral augmentation procedures (VAP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted on 64 patients who developed new-onset pain symptoms after VAP. Based on preoperative imaging findings, patients were categorized into three groups: Group A (foraminal stenosis), Group B (bone fragment compression), and Group C (bone cement leakage compression). All patients underwent full endoscopic decompression surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Clinical outcomes, measured by back pain visual analog scale, leg pain visual analog scale, and Oswestry Disability Index scores, were assessed preoperatively and at multiple postoperative intervals. All groups showed significant improvement in scores at the final follow-up compared to their pre-operative state. While Group C had a longer operative time and slower initial recovery, its long-term outcomes were comparable to the other groups. The overall excellent/good rate on the MacNab criteria was high (Group A: 85.7%, B: 81.8%, C: 66.7%), with no surgical complications reported. The study concludes that spinal endoscopic decompression is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment for this specific post-VAP pain syndrome, offering rapid recovery and significant symptom relief.