BIOMATERIALS - PART II   

Minerva Biotecnologica 2009 December;21(4):231-40

Copyright © 2010 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

The osteoporotic spine: a challenge for biomaterials

Becker S.

Orthopedic Hospital Vienna-Speising, Vienna, Austria

The use of biomaterials like polymethylmethacrylate or resorbable substances is a well accepted concept in orthopedic surgery. However, different applications and indications apply in spine surgery. This is even more important in osteoporotic spines where according to the primary disease, the age of the patients and the indication (fracture/instrumentation) different approaches and different biomaterials are useful. This article gives an overview about basic concepts, surgical challenges and considerations in the use of biomaterials in osteoporotic patients needing spine surgery.