WHAT IS VERTEBROPLASTY?

Vertebroplasty is the injection of PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) to stabilize and strengthen a vertebral compression fracture.  The PMMA acts as a “bone cement”, reinforcing the fractured vertebral body, preventing further collapse, and alleviating pain.  Vertebroplasty was developed in France in the 1980’s, and is a relatively new procedure in the United States.

WHO GETS VERTEBRAL FRACTURES?

Osteoporosis is the leading cause of  vertebral fracture.  Osteoporotic fractures most commonly involve the hip, wrist, and spine.  Lifetime risk of any symptomatic fracture is 40% in women, and 13% for men.  Lifetime risk of symptomatic vertebral fracture is 16% in women, and 5% in men.  18% of women over 50 years of age, and 27% over 65 years of age, will suffer one or more symptomatic vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis.  Approximately 700,000 vertebral fractures occur annually in the United States.