Pedicle Screw Fixation - Osteoporotic Bone
Indications, device characteristics, and surgical challenges of pedicle screw implantation into osteoporotic bone.
This online continuing education program is designed to provide orthopaedic and neurological spine surgeons with a review of pedicle anatomy, bone remodeling, and osteoporosis. Also presented are the characteristics of pedicle screws, use indications and contraindications, as well as surgical planning and intra-operative guidance. The surgical challenges and complications, including those related to implantation into osteoporotic bone are further explored and fenestrated screws are presented as a viable solution.
Release Date: September 30, 2008Expiration Date: September 30, 2009
Faculty
- Jason M. Highsmith, MD About

Neurosurgeon
Charleston Brain and Spine
Charleston, SC USA
Doctor Jason M. Highsmith is a board certified and fellowship trained neurosurgeon specializing in complex and minimally-invasive spine surgery in Charleston, SC. Read More
- Neill M. Wright, MD About
Associate Professor
Neurological and Orthopaedic SurgeryWashington University School of Medicine
Department of Neurosurgery
St. Louis, MO USADoctor Neill Wright is an Associate Professor, Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Wright received his medical degree at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He completed a neurological surgery residency and bone and mineral disease research fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Wright advanced his neurosurgical skills through a clinical fellowship in spinal neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA Medical School in Los Angeles. He is board certified. Read More
Target Audience
This online continuing education program is intended for orthopaedic and neurological spine surgeons.
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants should be able to:
- Discuss the options for pedicle screw fixation in osteoporotic bone, including any complications associated with these techniques
- Describe contributing factors to cases of extravasation and discuss tools and techniques available to minimize this complication
- Explain patient selection criteria, technique options, outcomes, complications for current canalized techniques for pedicle screw fixation in osteoporotic bone
Course Completion Time
Based upon trials, the estimated time to complete this program is 1 hour.
Sponsorship
This activity is sponsored by Medical Education Resources Inc., a non-profit medical education company. BroadWater, a Vertical Health, LLC company was selected to manage program logistics.
Educational Grant
This program is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Ulrich Medical USA.
Physician Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of Medical Education Resources and BroadWater. Medical Education Resources is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.Credit Designation
Medical Education Resources designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure Policy
It is the policy of Medical Education Resources (MER) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities. All faculty/ authors participating in our programs are expected to disclose any relationships they may have with commercial companies whose products or services may be mentioned so that participants may evaluate the objectivity of the presentations.
Faculty Disclosure
In accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ACCME guidelines, the financial and significant relationships to this program are listed below.
Jason M. Highsmith, MD has indicated the following relevant financial relationships: Speakers Bureau: Boston Scientific, Globus Medical
Neill M. Wright, MD has indicated the following relevant financial relationships: No financial disclosure available.
Staff Disclosure
Jeremy Longhurst, Susan Spinasanta: No items to disclose.
Disclaimer
The content and views presented in this educational program are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect those of Medical Education Resources or Before prescribing any treatment, primary references and full prescribing information should be consulted.
Purpose
This program is for educational and scientific purposes only. Any discussion of a product will be objective, balanced, and scientifically rigorous.
Off-Label/Investigational Use
It should be noted that specific medicines and medical devices discussed or referred to in this program may not yet be specifically cleared by the FDA for use in the United States. It is emphasized that package inserts must be referred to for labeling limitations for products used in the United States.
Software Requirements
- PC
- Microsoft Windows 2000 SE or above.
- Internet Explorer (v6 or greater), or Firefox
- Adobe Flash Player (v8 or greater)
- MAC
- MAC OS 10.2.8
- Safari or Firefox (Internet Explorer is not supported on the Macintosh)
- Adobe Flash Player (v8 or greater)
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