Each year, 460, 000 patients undergo this procedure to alleviate severe back problems, such as spinal fractures and torn cartilage.

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Called vertebroplasty, the procedure involves injecting surgical cement into the vertebrae of patients to relieve pain from spinal fractures due to osteoporosis.

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But Julia Thompson, of the National Osteoporosis Society, said falls prevention did not reduce the risk of things such as spinal fractures.

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Even low fractures could mean life in a wheelchair if the spinal cord is damaged.

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