The plate is translucent so that X-rays taken anytime during the postoperative period pass through the plate and show the status of the fusion site.īut even with all of the technical advances with this procedure, there can still be problems. And by the end of 18 months, it is completely resorbed.
NECK FUSION PROBLEMS YEARS LATER FULL
By the end of the first year, the plate is only at 32 per cent of its full strength. The body absorbs the by-product as it dissolves. But then they start to break down bit by bit. The plate and screws hold up well for the first six months, providing full strength. That's why bioabsorbable plates that eventually break down and become absorbed into the fusion have been developed. And X-rays can't penetrate the metal plate, so it's difficult to assess the fusion site. Too much stiffness is a potential problem when using a metal plate system but there is general agreement that fusion without instrumentation is less effective than with instrumentation. Because the plate is along the front of the spine, swallowing can be impaired. Sometimes the screws back out and/or the plate shifts its position. Fusion rates have improved greatly with this surgical technique.īut even as successful as this approach has been, there can still be problems. Stiffness is the desired outcome of fusion in order to provide stability.
The use of a metal plate and screws to hold it in place is called instrumentation. Most surgeons use bone graft material to fill in the space left by removal of the disc and a metal plate to hold the spine in place while the bone graft material fills in. Cervical refers to the neck and discectomy is the removal of the disc from between two vertebrae. Anterior fusion is performed through the front of the spine to avoid the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Anterior refers to the location of the incision and the way surgeon enters the spine (front of the neck). For a long time now, surgeons have used an approach called the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Physical Therapy in Pearland, Houston for Upper Back and Neckīioabsorbable plates are fairly new to the spinal fusion scene.
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