Background: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is a critical intervention for rapidly alleviating pain and restoring vertebral stability in elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures postoperative rehabilitation management, covering both in-hospital and postdischarge phases, has received growing attention due to shortened in-hospital recovery periods and the ongoing challenge of managing underlying osteoporosis. However, elderly patients face dual challenges: fragmented adherence to in-hospital rehabilitation due to shortened stays, and inconsistent engagement in postdischarge rehabilitation due to socioeconomic barriers and osteoporosis management gaps. In October 2024, this study investigated comprehensive rehabilitation management protocols spanning from hospital admission to postoperative follow-up in elderly osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients. This research aims to elucidate patients' perspectives on rehabilitation management, ultimately facilitating enhanced postoperative functional recovery and mitigating osteoporotic fracture recurrence.
Method: We implemented a qualitative descriptive methodology incorporating face-to-face semistructured interviews. Twenty-four patients were consecutively recruited, with 20 participants meeting the inclusion criteria and completing qualitative investigations in the Orthopedics departments of a tertiary hospital in Shanghai between October and December 2024. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 15 participants through in-person outpatient visits and five via telephone consultations. Three trained researchers administered six predetermined interview questions to each participant through these dual modalities. All interviews were audio-recorded and systematically analyzed via content analysis with NVivo software (version 12).
Results: Six key themes were identified regarding patients' postoperative rehabilitation experiences and needs: establishment of rehabilitation beliefs, heightened perceived benefits of external support, physical dysfunction, negative rehabilitation beliefs, low-quality management environments, aging and comorbidities. The findings revealed both facilitating and hindering factors in postoperative rehabilitation management while emphasizing the importance of establishing personalized multidisciplinary teams in rehabilitation management.
Conclusion: This study suggests that clear guidance regarding postoperative rehabilitation exercises and multidisciplinary management protocols including individualized exercise plans, collaborative multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies, and the development of smart devices may be important for healthcare providers in supporting patients' rehabilitation management. Based on participants' experiences, these approaches show potential for contributing to the alleviation of postoperative movement-related anxiety and fear of falls.
Keywords: Aged Population; Osteoporosis; Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures; PVP (Percutaneous Vertebroplasty); Rehabilitation management.
© 2025. The Author(s).