PURPOSE: The literature concerning the use of balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) for pure traumatic fractures is unclear. We report our experience about the treatment of a specific subgroup of traumatic vertebral fractures (AOSpine type A) with BKP through a retrospective analysis. METHODS: Sixty-one patients affected by AOSpine type A traumatic fractures of the thoracolumbar spine underwent BKP at our institution (2004-2008): 26 males and 35 females; mean age 52 ± 15 (18-75) years. At 6-12 and 60 months follow-up examinations, vertebral height restoration, sagittal spinal alignment and pain were recorded. RESULTS: Kyphoplasty proved to be a safe method to treat these fractures preserving a relative correct spinal sagittal balance with recovery of the morphology of the fractured vertebra, vertebral height and the angle of kyphosis. CONCLUSIONS: BKP used for traumatic fractures significantly alleviates pain, does not cause notable complications and enables patients to return to their normal lives in a short time.