Vertebral augmentation in osteoporosis. Coloured X-ray of a section through the thoracic spine of a 73-year-old female patient following vertebroplasty to repair compression fractures in the spine caused by osteoporosis. During the procedure, bone cement (bright area, centre) is injected through a small hole in the skin into the fractured vertebrae. Here, the acrylic cement has been injected into the T8 vertebral body.