Optimization of Bone Cement Stiffness in Metastatic Vertebral Augmentation: Balancing Strength Restoration and Stress Redistribution

The findings suggest that a bone cement stiffness of approximately 300 MPa may provide optimal mechanical benefits by enhancing vertebral strength without inducing excessive stress redistribution. The study also highlights that augmentation size strongly influences the mechanical outcomes, with larger augmentation volumes showing greater sensitivity to material stiffness. The proposed patient-specific QCT/FEA framework provides a cost-efficient, adaptable tool for preclinical evaluation and personalized planning of vertebral augmentation These insights can assist material developers in optimizing bone cement formulations for patient-specific treatments.