As people live longer, more are living with chronic health conditions that impact their quality of life. Vertebral compression fractures, caused by weakening bones due to osteoporosis or sudden injury, are a significant health concern for elderly people, especially women. These fractures are distressingly common, with 40% of women experiencing them by the time they are 80 years old.
Ageing leads to bone density loss, increasing the prevalence of osteoporosis and making bones more prone to fracture. Elderly individuals are also more likely to experience falls or injuries, further raising the risk of broken bones such as vertebral compression fractures. These types of fractures result in severe pain, reduced mobility, and a decline in daily activities, significantly impacting quality of life. Sadly, women with vertebral compression fractures have a 15% higher mortality rate compared to those without these fractures because they often develop other health problems due to their reduced mobility.
IZI Medical develops medical devices for minimally invasive surgery. Its devices include a curved needle for more accurate access to the spine and a unique bone cement for fixing back fractures including tracking beads that enable pinpoint control and placement.
Dr. Ajay Antony is an interventional pain physician at The Orthopaedic Institute in Gainesville, Florida. He specialises in using IZI’s technology for treating vertebral compression fractures and values the system’s unique features which enable a minimally invasive approach. This is better for him and for his patients, enabling more targeted surgery, reducing the risk of complications and improving patient recovery times. It also means he can treat people in a day, allowing elderly patients to have surgery and get home the same day.
The collaboration with IZI Medical has been instrumental in providing both clinical support and technical components for these procedures. Dr. Antony and the IZI team review advanced imaging prior to each procedure to develop a treatment strategy tailored to the individual patient's needs. This partnership has resulted in improved patient outcomes, with many patients experiencing significant pain relief and improved function shortly after the procedure. Patients regularly arrive in a wheelchair and are able to walk out after this 20-minute procedure.
“Vertebral compression fractures result in severe pain, reduced mobility, and a decline in daily activities, significantly impacting quality of life. Working closely with IZI allows us to provide the best care for our patients with quicker recovery times. Their clinical support and innovative products make a significant difference to our patient care.”
Dr Ajay Antony, interventional pain physician, The Orthopaedic Institute
