Richard Hall, Professor of Spinal Biomechanics

Inaugural lectures

'Breaking bones to fix bones'

The ageing population presents a number of challenges in terms of fractures in weakened bones of the spine through both osteoporosis and secondary cancers. In some cases these fractures are extremely painful and resistant to conventional bed-rest and pain-killers. A new technique called vertebroplasty in which cement is injected into the painful vertebrae to fix the fracture may provide a possible solution. This revolutionary keyhole surgical technique is relatively low-cost and has demonstrated excellent short-term results. However, recent longer-term studies have noted an increased occurrence of severe complications in the adjacent vertebrae, which may be due to a combination of the stiffening effect of the cement following injection, and the deformity which occurs following fracture. The lecture will discuss new developments in the clinically relevant, biomechanical research undertaken at the University of Leeds concerning this new technique.