Vertebroplasty and kyphplasty are two procedures being investigated for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures in patients with osteoporosis who are refractory to conventional therapies, such as analgesics, bed rest, and bracing.^20-21 Randomized controlled clinical trials are currently lacking for these two procedures, but case reports suggest that in carefully selected patients, these interventions may provide rapid clinically significant pain relief. Percutaneous vertebroplasty involves the injection of the bone cement, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) directly into the fractured vertebral body to stabilize the fracture. Vertebroplasty has been reported to provide significant relief of pain and improved function in the majority of patients treated.²¹