Percutaneous vertebroplasty has been performed in the United States since 1995, and widespread application of the procedure for osteoporotic and neoplastic compression fractures or vertebral infiltration has demonstrated remarkable efficacy with rare complications. Appropriate patient selection criteria and a thorough understanding of safe technique is essential for clinical success; imaging studies must be combined with careful physical examination to direct treatment to the appropriate level in patients with multiple compression deformities. Preoperative consultation with the patient and their family provides an opportunity to clarify the patient's treatment expectations and helps to anticipate and obviate potential obstacles to treatment.
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