Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty, and Implant-Based Mechanical Vertebral Augmentation

Abstract

Vertebral compression fractures are a global public health issue with a quantifiable negative impact on patient morbidity and mortality. The contemporary approach to the treatment of osteoporotic fragility fractures has moved beyond first-line nonsurgical management. An improved understanding of biomechanical forces, consequential morbidity and mortality, and the drive to reduce opioid use has resulted in multidisciplinary treatment algorithms and significant advances in augmentation techniques. This review will inform musculoskeletal radiologists, interventionalists, and minimally invasive spine surgeons on the proper work-up of patients, imaging features differentiating benign and malignant pathologic fractures, high-risk fracture morphologies, and new mechanical augmentation device options, and it describes the appropriate selection of devices, complications, outcomes, and future trends.