Postoperative and Intraoperative Cement Augmentation of Pedicle Screws for Spinal Fusion

Description

Joshua Kolz presents research on osteoporosis treatment during a conference by the Canadian Orthopedic Association. Despite improved awareness and options in treating osteoporosis, actual care is still lacking in effectiveness across the medical community. Kolz discusses how osteoporosis significantly impacts surgical outcomes—contributing to complications like proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and hardware failure. The study reviewed 59 patients who underwent prophylactic cement augmentation of pedicle screws over 15 years, highlighting their demographic details and the types of surgeries performed. Results indicated that while cement augmentation improves outcomes, the techniques employed are widely debated. Key findings reveal survival rates free of PJK and revision surgery, revealing critical associations with patient factors like osteoporosis and the number of surgical levels involved. Ultimately, Kolz emphasizes cement augmentation as a viable technique to enhance spine fusion procedures in patients with poor bone quality.

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