Bone Cement in Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty Procedures

Audience: Orthopedic specialists and other healthcare professionals

FDA notified healthcare professionals about complications related to the use of polymethylmethacrylate bone cement to treat osteoporotic compression fractures of the spine using surgical procedures known as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Reported complications, such as soft tissue damage and nerve root pain and compression, are related specifically to the leakage of bone cement. Other reported complications include pulmonary embolism, respiratory and cardiac failure, and death.

[October 2002 - Public Health Notification - FDA] Page UPDATED 4/1/2003, 5/7/2004