Orthopaedics · Skeletal System · Hard
Vertebroplasty
Meaning: A procedure that injects bone cement into a fractured spinal bone to stabilise it and reduce pain.
In practice: Percutaneous vertebroplasty can relieve pain from selected osteoporotic spinal fractures.
Word parts
- -plasty means surgical repair or reshaping
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related orthopaedics words.
Which word means: Forward angulation of the femoral neck relative to the femoral condyles.
Answer: Anteversion
Which word means: Hidden; describes a fracture suspected clinically but not visible on initial radiographs.
Answer: Occult
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