The present invention relates invention relates to devices and methods for
the fixation and stabilization of orthopedic fractures and more
specifically to stabilization of compression fractures of spinal
vertebrae. The systems comprise cannulated orthopedic screws and
mechanical expandable implants introducible through the lumen of such
screws. In certain embodiments the cannulated implants are expandable
within an intraosseous space to introduce scaffold-like structures such
that subsequent introduction of a bone cement forms a composite in situ.
The devices and methods are also particularly useful for stabilizing the
orthopedic screws.