Doctors may soon be strengthening the spine of a person suffering from osteoporosis by injecting cement into their vertebrae. A new study has found that spinal injections of acrylic cement significantly reduces the pain experienced by elderly people suffering from osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures. Nearly 75% of patients said that their quality of life had improved significantly after the injections, while two-thirds needed less pain-killing medication, and almost half were more mobile. Previously the cement injections were given during surgery, however the study showed that by using X-ray images it is possible to give the injections directly through the skin. At present the technique is only used to reduce pain in people suffering from so-called compression fractures of the spine, however the researchers believe that it could be used to prevent fractures by strengthening weakened vertebrae that are at risk.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Neurosurgery 2001; 49:1105-1115
