BACKGROUND:: Manipulative reduction is an important conventional non-surgical means for the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (OTLCF). Its main function is to restore vertebral height and correct kyphosis, but its effectiveness is controversial. At present, the clinical assessment and clinical significance of the manipulative reduction are usually an empirical judgment, so there still lacks an objective study. OBJECTIVE:: To research the effect of manipulative reduction on the treatment of OTLCF. METHODS:: A random and control study was employed. The cases should be osteoporotic patients with thoracolumbar compression fracture in the ages of 60-75 years old (compression degree: 1/3-1/2, kyphosis angle≤30°). Patients with OTLCF were randomly divided into manipulative group and control group. Manipulative group received manipulative reduction in pronate stretch station, and the control group did not receive manipulative reduction. The other treatments were same between the two groups. The height ratio and kyphosis angle of fracture vertebra were compared between the two groups, measured from the X-ray films at the time of admission, after reduction, standing and follow-up. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:: Sixty-seven patients were enrolled, 36 cases in manipulatine group (13 males and 23 females, mean age: 65.4±10.8 years old) and 31 cases in control group (11 males and 20 females, mean age: 67.2±9.7 years old). There was no significant difference about sex, age, the height ratio and kyphosis angle of fracture vertebra. Compared with control group, manipulative group gained obvious improvement on the height ratio after reduction (P=0.016), and no statistic difference was found between two groups about kyphosis angle at any time point (P=0.089). However, it failed to show any additional significance at the time of standing and follow-up (P > 0.05) and similar to that at the time of admission (P > 0.05). Manipulative reduction has a temporary effect on improvement of the compressed vertebral height in the period of bed-rest, and shows no obvious improvement on kyphosis angle in a short course of treatment. And so, manipulative reduction has little value in treating OTLCF.Deng XG, Xiong XM, Wan D, Shi HG, Cao WJ, Song CM. Effectiveness of manipulative reduction on osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture.Zhongguo Zuzhi Gongcheng Yanjiu. 2012;16(22): 4105-4108. [http://www.crter.cn http://en.zglckf.com]