Objective To compare the therapeutic effects between denosumab and zoledronic acid in the rehabilitation of patients with osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures (OVCF) after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). Methods A total of 372 OVCF patients treated at the First People's Hospital of Anning City, Kunming University of Science and Technology, from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively selected. Patients in the control group received intravenous zoledronic acid after surgery. Patients in the treatment group received subcutaneous denosumab after surgery. Bone mineral density, Cobb’s angle, bone metabolism indicators, Oswestry disability index, VAS score, SF-35 score, and incidence of new vertebral fractures were compared between the two groups after 12 months of treatment. Results There was no statistical difference in bone mineral density, Cobb’s angle, bone metabolism indicators, Oswestry disability index, VAS score, and SF-35 score between the two groups before the treatment (P>0.05). After 12 months of the treatment, all the above indicators in both groups of patients showed significant improvement compared to those before the treatment (P<0.05). After 12 months of the treatment, bone mineral density in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group, and the Cobb angle was smaller than that in the control group (P<0.05). In terms of bone metabolism indicators, the levels of BGP and PINP in the treatment group increased and the level of ICPT decreased more than in the control group, showing significance (P<0.05). VAS score and ODI score in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, and SF-36 score was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). New vertebral fracture rate in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion In patients with OVCF, post-PKP treatment with denosumab or zoledronic acid improves bone mineral density and bone metabolism levels, relieves pain, improves function, and enhances quality of life to a certain extent. Denosumab is superior to zoledronic acid in improving the above indicators. |