In vitro comparative assessment of the mechanical properties of PMMA cement and a GPC cement for vertebroplasty.

AIMS To develop a Glass Polyalkenoate Cement that is suitable for vertebroplasty. METHODS Testing was carried out to assess the effect of gamma irradiation used for sterilisation, on the glass transition temperature as well as its mechanical properties, including compressive strength and biflexural strength in vivo as well as testing GPC and PMMA cements post injection in cadaveric human vertebral bone. RESULTS There was a trend to a higher failure load required for the GPC cement group compared to the current standard PMMA injected group but this was not statistically significant with this small sample size. CONCLUSION The results are encouraging for future research to continue on GPC cements for use in vertebroplasty.