Spinal Cement

It's estimated that eight-million Americans have the brittle bone disease called osteoporosis. Each year, 500-thousand of those people will end up with a spine so weak, it actually collapses. It's called a vertebral fracture - and once it happens, little can be done to reinforce the already fragile spine. For years, bed rest and painkillers were the only treatment. Doctors are experimenting with a new way to glue broken spines back together again.

Genevieve Stinchomb loves to watch her son and grandson practice soccer moves. Sometimes she even participates a little. Not long ago, this kind of activity would have been impossible because Genevieve was in a wheelchair. Osteoporosis had eroded her spine so badly that her vertabrae began to collapse. Surgery to repair her fragile spine would make matters worse, so she was told nothing could be done.

Genevieve Stinchcomb, Spinal Fracture Patient:
"I was at a point where something had to be done. I was in severe pain. I couldn't lift my left arm out or lift up or anything without pain."

Then she found out about something new.

Gregg Zoarski, M.D., Neuroradiologist, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD:
"The technique that we're using to treat fractures can be performed on an outpatient basis, it's relatively easy to perform, it's a safe procedure and it can get patients up and mobilized much quicker. "

The procedure uses an acrylic epoxy to stabilize the spine without major surgery. When the epoxy is the consistency of toothpaste, doctors inject it into the collapsed vertebra, using x-rays to guide them. Within a few minutes, it becomes rock-hard. It's light, yet strong enough to reinforce the spine, relieving pressure and pain. The procedure is done with a local anesthetic, and patients can be out of the hospital and walking within a day. It's given people like Genevieve a second chance to stand up and take part in life again.

Genevieve Stinchcomb:
"I've still got my mind. I just didn't have part of my body. Now I can get around. I'm glad I had it done."

The medical cement has been used in the past to treat fractured spines, but the procedure involved major surgery, general anesthesia and a long stay in the hospital. By injecting the cement into the spine, patients can stay awake during the procedure, and since there's much less physical trauma, patients usually can leave the hospital the next day. The injection of cement is a fraction of the cost of major surgery.

Source: Ivanhoe