Trial will explore plastic vertebrae

[Thom Little]

Researchers said Friday they are ready to launch a late-stage trial of vertebroplasty, a procedure in which a prosthetic vertebra is created by injecting plastic cement into the interior of a vertebra fractured by osteoporosis.

The Mayo Clinic scientists conducting the Phase 3 study say the new technology improves function and relieves pain.

"Vertebroplasty is a very safe and easy procedure that seems to work quite well," David Kallmes, a Mayo Clinic interventional neuroradiologist who is doing the study, told United Press International.

"The problem is that it has never been studied formally so we don't know as much as we could about it. For instance, our retrospective study, which simply looked at past records, showed us that vertebroplasty also makes it easier for people to move, tie their shoes, mow their lawn, and live life fully. Before it was primarily thought of as a way to relieve pain," he said.


http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20051230-061417-8346r

[ClintonTyree]

1. I'll volunteer for the trials......

I've already had an unsuccessful spinal fusion, what the hell do I have to lose? :shrug: I hope it works, it could save thousands of people from living a life of constant pain, a pain I know all too well.

[philb]

2. Promosing idea- its about time they tried something like this

The main thing used to date in the U.S. for implants and vertebrae implants is titanium,
but large percentage of people are immune reactive to titanium or become so over time if it is implanted.
Titanium implants have been found by clinical experience to cause chronic conditons such as cancer, leukemia, epilepsy,etc.

Blood immune reactivity tests(such as Melisa, www.melisa.org) and ElectroDermal Screening(EAV) tests(www.biomeridian.com) find people are commonly immune reactive to titanium which can cause autoimmune conditions.

Europe has been using composite implant materials such as Polycom2000 for implants such as tooth implants to some extent.