| Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of zoledronic acid combined with PVP/PKP in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Methods The clinical data of the patients with senile osteoporotic fractures, who received PVP/PKP in our department from January 2009 to March 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty patients were followed-up. According to with or without the application of zoledronic acid after PVP/PKP, the patients were divided into control group and experimental group. The detection of the bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur and the evaluation of visual analogue scale (VAS) were performed before the treatment and after 1-year treatment, in order to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Results After 1-year treatment, BMD of the proximal femur in experimental group improved significantly compared with that in control group. And the pain of the spine was continuously alleviated. No new vertebral fractures were observed. The pain of the spine in control group became more severe and 1 patient had new osteoporotic vertebral fractures 2 months after the operation. The main adverse events of zoledronic acid were influenza-like reactions, including fever, red face, and discomfort, which could be alleviated in a short term. And all the syndromes could be tolerated. Conclusion The clinical efficacy of zoledronic acid combined with PVP/PKP in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures is significant. The application can increase BMD significantly in osteoporosis patients, prevent continuous bone mass loss, improve the quality of life, relieve bone pain of the total body and the thoracolumbar vertebrae effectively, and prevent the occurrence of re-fractures. The administration of zoledronic acid is easy, and its compliance is good. The adverse events are slight. It can achieve the purpose of systematic treatment, which is a better adjuvant therapy in osteoporotic fracture patients after PVP/PKP. |