Glossary: Fusion

The role of spine fusion instrumentation is to provide additional spinal stability while helping the fusion set up. Various forms of instrumentation (medical devices) have been developed with the goal of improving the rates of successful spinal fusion. Because bone tends to fuse more effectively in an environment where there is little motion, instrumentation helps the fusion set up by limiting the motion at the fused segment.

There are five primary types of spine surgery instrumentation: anterior screws/plates (for neck and low back), pedicle/lateral mass screws (for neck and low back), anterior interbody cages (for neck and low back), posterior lumbar cages, and the dynamic implants (disc replacements, interspinous devices and dynamic stabilisation systems). Obviously the latter is not involved in fusion.

In the posterolateral gutter fusion, use of pedicle screws has improved spinal fusion rates from approximately 60% to 90%. Many surgeons also believe that pedicle screws enhance patient recovery because they provide immediate stability for the spine and allow early mobilization for the patient