Prediction of Cervical Endplate Size: One Size Does Not Fit All.

Significant variations exist in the footprint size of cervical vertebral endplates. In anterior cervical spine surgery, an implant that maximizes coverage of the endplate and contacts the apophyses may reduce subsidence and decrease risk of endplate fracture. The ability to accurately predict a patient's vertebral endplate size may be helpful for surgeons to preoperatively choose the optimal implant for the patient's specific anatomy.