Vertebral fixation (also known as "spinal fixation") is an orthopedic surgical procedure in which two or more

vertebra The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates,Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characteristic ...

e are anchored to each other through a synthetic "vertebral fixation device", with the aim of reducing vertebral mobility and thus avoiding possible damage to the

spinal cord The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column (backbone). The backbone encloses the central canal of the spi ...

and/or spinal roots.

Indications

A vertebral fixation procedure may be indicated in cases of

vertebral fracture A spinal fracture, also called a vertebral fracture or a broken back, is a fracture affecting the vertebrae of the spinal column. Most types of spinal fracture confer a significant risk of spinal cord injury. After the immediate trauma, there is ...

, vertebral deformity, or degenerative vertebral disorders (such as

spondylolisthesis Spondylolisthesis is the displacement of one spinal vertebra compared to another. While some medical dictionaries define spondylolisthesis specifically as the forward or anterior displacement of a vertebra over the vertebra inferior to it (or t ...

Vertebral fixation devices

The device used to achieve vertebral fixation is usually a permanent rigid or semi-rigid

prosthesis In medicine, a prosthesis (plural: prostheses; from grc, πρόσθεσις, prósthesis, addition, application, attachment), or a prosthetic implant, is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part, which may be lost through trau ...

made of

titanium Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. Found in nature only as an oxide, it can be reduced to produce a lustrous transition metal with a silver color, low density, and high strength, resistant to corrosion in ...

; examples include rods, plates, screws, and various combinations thereof. A less common alternative is the use of a resorbable fixation device, composed of a bio-resorbable material. The medical community uses several different techniques for stabilizing the posterior region of the

spine Spine or spinal may refer to: Science Biology * Vertebral column, also known as the backbone * Dendritic spine, a small membranous protrusion from a neuron's dendrite * Thorns, spines, and prickles, needle-like structures in plants * Spine (zoolog ...

. The most radical of these techniques is

spinal fusion Spinal fusion, also called spondylodesis or spondylosyndesis, is a neurosurgical or orthopedic surgical technique that joins two or more vertebrae. This procedure can be performed at any level in the spine (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) and pre ...

. In recent years/decades spinal

surgeon In modern medicine, a surgeon is a medical professional who performs surgery. Although there are different traditions in different times and places, a modern surgeon usually is also a licensed physician or received the same medical training as ...

s have begun to rely more heavily on mechanical implants, which provide increased stability without so severely limiting the recipient's range of motion. A number of devices have been developed that allow the recipients near natural range of motion while still providing some support. In many cases the support offered by such devices is insufficient, leaving the

physician A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...

with few other choices than spinal fusion. A spinal fixation device stabilizes an area of the posterior spine while allowing for a significant range of motion and limiting the compression of the affected

vertebrae The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates,Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characteristic i ...

. The device consists of two or more arm assemblies (lateral) connected by one or more telescopic assemblies (vertical). Each arm assembly is composed of a central portion, which connects to the telescopic assembly or assemblies. Left and right arms attach to the corresponding side of the central portion of the arm assembly. Each arm section is directly connected to its individual pedicle by means of pedicle fasteners. More information about this specific spinal fixation device can be found in The United States Patent Service's November 13, 2007 publication of new patents. This patent can currently (September 23, 2008) be found o
The U.S. Patent Website
The United States Patent Website

References

{{Bone, cartilage, and joint procedures Implants (medicine) Neurosurgery Orthopedic surgical procedures Prosthetics

Indications

Vertebral fixation devices

See also

References