Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty（PKP）for the treatment of senile osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebra compression fracture（OVCF）.Methods A total of 225 patients with senile OVCF treated at a Sichuan hospital between March 2012 and April 2017 were included in this study.All patients underwent PKP.The Oswestry disability index

pain visual analog scale（VAS）score

anterior column height and Cobb′s angle of the affected vertebra were measured before surgery

1 day

1 month and 3 months after surgery.The occurrence of complications was also recorded.Results At 1 day

1 month and 3 months after surgery

both VAS and Oswestry scores were significantly lower than those before surgery（P<0.05）.At 1 month and 3 months after surgery

both VAS and Oswestry scores were significantly lower than the values obtained 1 day after surgery（P<0.05）.At 1 day

1 month and 3 months after surgery

the anterior column height of the affected vertebra was significantly higher compared with that before surgery（P<0.05）

while the Cobb′s angle was significantly smaller than that before surgery（P<0.05）.Intraoperatively

bone cement leakage into the anterior spinal canal occurred in one patient with T12 compression fracture

who experienced paralytic symptoms of the right lower extremity about 24 hours after surgery.One patient suffered dural injury in the process of puncture.Conclusion For patients diagnosed with senile OVCF

PKP is associated with favorable efficacy and a low risk of bone cement leakage and spinal or nerve injuries

which may help to relieve pain

improve quality of life

and deserve widespread clinical application.