What is a PEEK interbody cage?
PEEK spinal cages, also termed interbody fusion cages, are used in spinal fusion procedures to replace a damaged spinal disc and provide an ideal environment for two vertebrae to fuse together. Fusion is indicated when the spine is affected by a degenerative disorder or when it sustains an injury.
What is the best material for an interbody cage?
Titanium and its alloys have been used in orthopedic surgery since the 1940s, and the first metal cage technology for spinal fusion was introduced in 1988. Today, 2 of the more popular materials used for interbody implants include titanium and PEEK, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages.
What is an interbody cage made of?
Interbody cages are placed between the bodies of 2 adjacent vertebrae—after removing the intervertebral disc that typically occupies this space. Spinal cages may be made of metal, polymer, ceramic, or a fusion of different materials. Two commonly used materials include titanium and polyetheretherketone (PEEK).
What does lucency around screws mean?
Lucency around a screw was defined as a 1mm or greater radiolucent halo surrounding a pedicle screw. All radiographic assessments were made by the senior author.
Why do they put a cage in your back?
The intervertebral fusion cage is a large, hollow cylinder made of some type of metal, usually titanium. It is designed as a “cage” so that bone graft can be placed inside the hollow cylinder to allow a spinal fusion to occur between two vertebrae.
What is a cervical cage?
Posted on August 14, 2020 August 28, 2020 by Susan Racca. A PEEK cervical cage is an interbody spinal implant used during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). It provides a stable surface for bone to fuse to and ensures a secure lock between implant and vertebrae.
What are spinal fusion cages made of?
What are spinal cages used for?
The cages are porous and allow the bone graft to grow from the vertebral body through the cage and into the next vertebral body. The cages offer excellent fixation, so most patients do not need additional instrumentation (e.g. pedicle screws) or post-operative back braces for support.
What is a cage in a spinal fusion?
In September of 1996, the FDA approved anterior interbody cages for use in the disc space, providing a new technique that allows the spine to be fused with less morbidity (e.g. less post-operative discomfort) than in the past. Anterior interbody cages are titanium cylinders that are placed in the disc space.
Why do screws come loose after spinal fusion?
Loosening of instrumentation frequently occurs when the bones of the spine don’t heal or fuse correctly; this poor healing my also cause hardware to shift or break.
How big is a spinal cage?
Results: The lengths of the TLIF cage were more than 30 mm for men and 26 mm for women in L1/2-L4/5, with a large range in L5-S1. For PLIF, the lengths were 28 to 30 mm for men and 24 to 26 mm for women in L1/2-L4/5, with 26 mm and 22 mm, respectively, in L5-S1.
How do they put a cage in your back?
Most of the cages are placed in the front of the spine (anterior lumbar interbody fusion or ALIF) . The cages can be inserted through a small incision (minilaparotomy) or with an endoscope (a scope that allows the surgery to be done through several one-inch incisions).
Why does metal in your body hurt when it rains?
Our body is 60% water and water is hard to heat. Metal is dense and can hold heat. If metal in the body is covered by skin, like a plate in the ankle, thin skin is against thick metal competing for the heat.