title: Spinal fixation. Part 2. Fixation techniques and hardware for the thoracic and lumbosacral spine.
abstract: Spinal fixation devices are used in the thoracic and lumbosacral spine to stabilize the spine, reduce deformities and fractures, and replace abnormal vertebrae. A bone fusion is usually attempted along with placement of the instrumentation because in most cases the hardware would eventually fail if it were used alone. The thoracolumbar spine is inherently unstable, and early operative intervention improves mobilization and rehabilitation. In some cases of lumbar spinal pain, surgical intervention is necessary for the treatment of conditions such as herniated disks, spondylolysis with spondylolisthesis, and degenerative disease with scoliosis. Surgical procedures consist of posterior (posterior elements) and anterior (vertebral body) fixation. Radiologists face continual changes in both surgical technique and instrumentation and should be knowledgeable about the devices available and the biomechanical principles that direct their use. They need to work with their surgical colleagues to become familiar with the techniques used at their institutions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, J. Hills Miller Health Center, Gainesville 32610-0374.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Slone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: MacMillan
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heare
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D012447:Sacrum / Q000601:surgery*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*