A method for planning the insertion of bone cement into an orthopedic void of a vertebra. A three dimensional preoperative image of the vertebra is used and the voxels are analyzed to provide the voxel absorption levels. The absorption levels are transformed into mechanical properties of regions of the vertebra, such that a three dimensional mesh of the mechanical properties of the vertebra is generated. An entry point and an entry angle are selected on the vertebra, through which to inject bone cement into the void. Then, using the known viscosity of the bone cement, and using the entry point and entry angle, a finite elements analysis may be performed on the mesh to simulate the propagation of the bone cement into the orthopedic void. The simulation is repeated using different operational parameters until said propagation of said bone cement is deemed satisfactory.
