Long Island Neurosurgical & Spinal Associates (LINSA)

Spine Surgery 

Spinal Instrumentation - Overview

• Correct spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis)
• Stabilize unstable sections of the spine (spondylolisthesis, fractures, subluxations, discogenic micro-instability)
• Promote bony fusion (arthrodesis) of spinal motion segments (ACDF, lumbar fusions)
• Reconstruct or replace structural elements (discs, vertebral bodies)

Most instrumentation procedures are done in conjuction with an arthrodesis, since without eventual bony fusion between the involved spinal elements a high risk of failure of the hardware exists (breaking, loosening, pulling out)

A multitude of different instrumentations exists, all designed to address specific conditions with many variations introduced by numerous manufacturers. The appropriate choice of which hardware to implant and when, can only be determined by your treating spine surgeon who should be comfortable and fully trained in its implementation.

Overview of hardware:

• Pedicle screws and rods (Lumbar and Thoracic spine)
• Lateral Mass Screws and Plates/Rods (Cervical spine / Occiput)
• Odontoid screw (C2)
• Transarticular scews (C1-C2)
• Anterior cervical plates (Cervical spine)
• Laminar hooks (Cervical and thoracic spine)
• Cages (Throughout spinal column)
• Artificial Discs (Lumbar and Cervical spine)
• Trabecular metal (Throughout spinal column)
• PEEK Biomedical implants (Throughout spinal column)

See overview articles: History of Instrumentation for Stabilization of the Subaxial Cervical Spine (AANS)