[An in vitro biomechanical evaluation of effect of augmentation pedicle screw fixation with polymethylmethacrylate on osteoporotic spine stability].

Objective: To ascertain whether augmentation pedicle screw fixation with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) can enhance the stability of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures of osteoporotic spine.

Methods: Six fresh frozen female osteoporotic spines (T10-L5) were harvested and an anterior and posterior column unstable model of L1 was made. Each specimen was fixated with plate and the stability test were performed by flexion, extension, axial rotation and lateral bending.