The novel polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-augmented bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw (CICPS) proves to be very efficient and a safe approach to manage osteoarthritis associated thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures (AO type A), research published in the Journal, World Neurosurgery.

CICPS is a most extensively used approach to posterior fixation of patients' vertebrae. Although, due to low BMD the internal fixation strength of used pedicle screws got reduced during the osteoporotic spine treatment. This results in loosening and pulling out of the screw. The screw fixation strength then enhanced by using various methods and one of them is polymethylmethacrylate cannulated pedicle screw. 

A retrospective cohort review was conducted with 28 patients who got treatment for osteoporosis-linked thoracolumbar vertebral body compression fracture with posterior lumbar fusion or thoracolumbar fusion using  CICPSs from 2011 to 2015. The degree of fracture reduction, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and correction of kyphosis were used to evaluate treatment's efficacy.  Intra- and postoperative complications used to assess CICPS safety. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiography were also evaluated. 

The ODI (6.83%±15)and VAS (0.50±0.69) scores reduced significantly after the surgery (p<0.001; <0.001, respectively). Radiological analysis of Cobb angle and vertebral height exhibited satisfactory correction of kyphosis and significant fracture reduction (p < 0.001). Furthermore, no cases of screw loosening or symptomatic complications were noticed, except for a few instances of cement leakage from the CICPS. These results reflect PMMA-augmented bone CICPS is a reliable and efficient way for osteoporosis-associated vertebral fractures (AO type A) treatment with reduced complications.