What are risk factors for subsequent fracture after vertebral augmentation in patients with thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures

BACKGROUND: Due to its unique mechanical characteristics, the incidence of subsequent fracture after vertebral augmentation is higher in thoracolumbar segment, but the causes have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to comprehensively explore the potential risk factors for subsequent fracture in this region. METHODS: Patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture in thoracolumbar segment who received vertebral augmentation from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into refracture group and non-refracture group according to the occurrence of refracture. The clinical information, imaging findings (cement distribution, spine sagittal parameters, degree of paraspinal muscle degeneration) and surgery related indicators of the included patients were collected and compared. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were included, 13 patients in refracture group and 96 patients in non-refracture group. Univariate analysis revealed a significantly higher incidence of previous fracture, intravertebral cleft (IVC) and cement leakage, greater fatty infiltration of psoas (FI(PS)), fatty infiltration of erector spinae plus multifidus (FI(ES + MF)), correction of body angle (BA), BA restoration rate and vertebral height restoration rate in refracture group. Further binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated previous fracture, IVC, FI(PS) and BA restoration rate were independent risk factors for subsequent fracture. According to ROC curve analysis, the prediction accuracy of BA restoration rate was the highest (area under the curve was 0.794), and the threshold value was 0.350. CONCLUSIONS: Subsequent fracture might cause by the interplay of multiple risk factors. The previous fracture, IVC, FI(PS) and BA restoration rate were identified as independent risk factors. When the BA restoration rate exceeded 0.350, refractures were more likely to occur. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-021-04946-7.