DISCUSSION: Recent data shows low bone mass will affect over 50 million people in the US. Every other person > 50 years of age will have low bone mass or osteoporosis. There is still debate (despite >3000 articles published) on the effectiveness of vertebral augmentation (VA) for osteoporotic compression fractures. Chandra et al discuss 2 groups of patients that may benefit fromVA. a. patients with severe pain treated < 6 weeks post trauma. b. national datasets show patients hospitalized for VCF show earlier hospital release, lower re-admission rates & reduced mortality. (1)