Posterior lumbar interbody cages do not augment segmental biomechanical stability.
The effect on stiffness of installing posterior threaded interbody cages at LA-L5 was evaluated using fresh human cadaveric spine specimens. The cages did not increase spine stiffness significantly in any tested range of motion. Supplemental posterior pedicular screw/rod instrumentation, however, significantly increased stiffness. The assertion that use of cages as isolated posterior implants improves stability may be invalid.
Dimar
J R
JR
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Beck
D J
DJ
Glassman
S D
SD
Voor
M J
MJ
Wang
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*