Orthovita Inc., a developer of medical implants in Malvern, Pennsylvania, reports today that the journal Spine published data from studies of its product Cortoss, an injectable polymer composite that mimics cortical bone. The paper reports on two pilot studies of Cortoss to treat vertebral compression fractures or VCF (paid subscription required}.
The paper says Cortoss was used to treat 40 VCF patients, with the procedures vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Both procedures involve surgically implanting a special cement, to help heal the fractures and relieve pain. The results indicate after 24 months the patients receiving the treatment experienced less pain and disability, and improved their quality of life. While both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty were able to deliver these results, the vertebroplasty technique required about half as much material as kyphoplasty.
VCF is a common result and symptom of osteoporosis, the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time. The condition affects an estimated 44 million Americans, or 55 percent of the people 50 years of age and older.
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