Injection biomechanics of bone cements used in vertebroplasty.
The incidence of osteoporotic bone fractures is growing exponentially as the western population ages and as life expectancy increases. Vertebroplasty, where acrylic or calcium phosphate cement is injected into the weakened vertebrae to augment them, is an emerging procedure for treating spinal fragility fractures. However, cement injection is currently limited because there are no clear standards for a safe, reproducible and predictable procedure. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that bone cements play in the underlying bio-mechanisms that affect the outcomes of cement injection. Our most important finding after combining clinical, laboratory and theoretical research is that the process of cement injection poses conflicting demands on bone cements. The cements are required to be more viscous and less viscous at the same time. The challenge therefore is to develop biomaterials, techniques and/or devices that can overcome or manage the conflicting demands on cement viscosity.
Laboratoire de biomécanique, Département de génie mécanique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada J1K 2R1.
G
G
Baroud
M
M
Bohner
P
P
Heini
T
T
Steffen
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002484:Cementation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000379:methods*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014783:Viscosity
D001843:Bone Cements