Support device for vertebral fusion

摘要

A support for vertebral fusion prevents subsidence and eliminates the need for posterior surgery and instrumentation. The support is constructed from cadaveric vertebrae or an implantable man-made material. One embodiment is a U-shaped metal support that rests on the apophyseal ring of the vertebrae, with the open portion of the U facing the patient's posterior. The metal support is then connected to a previously placed threaded cage or bone dowel such as that used in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF).