Patients with vertebral fractures often have problems to straighten and as a consequence of impaired lung ventilation that leads to a impaired lung function. Furthermore, it comes to the sintering of the vertebra and a so-called hunchback. This also contributes to the poorer expansion of the lung. Pain is also caused by respiratory excursions of the chest which hinder the patients to use their entire lung volume.

Kyphoplasty is designed to counter all these consequences of vertebral fractures by bringing stability to the fracture.

In order to prove the thesis the results of lung function test (FEV1, PEF) are assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• over 50 years
• VAS over 49, ODI over 29
• radiographic evidence of A 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 fractures
• patients mentally capable to sign informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• high-energy trauma
• known tumor involvement
• osteonecrotic fractures
• burst fractures or pedicle fractures
• previous surgical treatment for a vertebral body compression fracture
• patient has paget's disease
• BMI > 35
• uncontrolled diabetes HbAc1c > 7%
• severe cardiopulmonary disease
• Myelopathy
• long-time steroid therapy

Patients with osteoporotic compression fractures, mostly elderly females