Instrumentation used in back surgery

Anterior cervical plates
October 7, 2005
In cervical spine surgery, a small plate can be applied to the front (anterior) of the spine to add stability to the fused area. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Posterior cervical plates
October 7, 2005
To add stability to the spine, a posterior cervical plate can be placed on the side of the spine (over the facet joints) and attached to the spine using screws. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Posterior cervical wiring
October 7, 2005
Wires can be place around the spinous processes or the facet joints in the posterior cervical spine to create a rigid construct. Wiring may be used to fuse together the upper cervical vertebral segments. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Anterior cervical interbody cages
October 7, 2005
Interbody cages can be used to help obtain a cervical fusion, and may provide enough stability to make the use of a cervical plate unnecessary. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Postoperative cervical braces
October 7, 2005
Depending on the extent of the surgery, a postoperative cervical brace may be recommended for a period of time, likely mainly for pain management immediately following surgery. Increasingly surgeons are limiting or even eliminating the use of postoperative braces. Read more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Pedicle screws - overview
September 8, 1999 (Updated March 30, 2001)
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 early mobilization for the patient. Read more…
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Anterior interbody cages - overview
September 8, 1999 (Updated March 30, 2001)
Anterior interbody cages are titanium cylinders that are placed in the disc space during a spinal fusion surgery. The cages are porous and allow the bone graft to grow from the vertebral body through the cage and into the next vertebral body. Read more…
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Anterior cervical plates - overview
September 8, 1999 (Updated March 30, 2001)
In cervical spine surgery, a small plate can be applied to the front (anterior) of the spine to add stability to the fused area. Read more…
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Posterior cervical plates - overview
September 8, 1999 (Updated March 30, 2001)
To add stability to the spine, a posterior cervical plate can be placed on the side of the spine (over the facet joints) and attached to the spine using screws. Read more…
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Posterior cervical wiring - overview
September 8, 1999 (Updated March 30, 2001)
Wires can be place around the spinous processes or the facet joints in the posterior cervical spine to re-establish a posterior tether. Read more…
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

Postoperative cervical braces - overview
September 8, 1999 (Updated March 30, 2001)
The cervical spine is well suited for postoperative bracing. Depending on the extent of the surgery, a postoperative cervical brace may be recommended for a period of time. Read more…
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD