An investigational study on the healing process of anterior spinal arthrodesis using a bioactive ceramic spacer and the change in load-sharing of spinal instrumentation.

Study Design: Ceramic anterior lumbar interbody arthrodesis was performed using an in vivo sheep model. Observations of fusion status and the load-sharing of spinal instrumentation were studied at sequential intervals for 1 year after surgery.

Objectives: To elucidate the healing process of spinal arthrodesis performed with a bioactive ceramic spacer and the change in load-sharing of anterior spinal instrumentation.

A retrospective radiographic analysis of subaxial sagittal alignment after posterior C1-C2 fusion.

Study Design: Subaxial sagittal alignment following atlantoaxial (A-A) posterior fusion was investigated retrospectively in patients with A-A subluxation.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between A-A fusion angle and postoperative subaxial sagittal alignment and to determine the optimal fusion angle for preservation of physiologic subaxial alignment.

Summary Of Background Data: A-A posterior fusion has been used for patients with A-A instability and provided satisfactory clinical results.

Artificial intervertebral disc replacement using bioactive three-dimensional fabric: design, development, and preliminary animal study.

Study Design: A new artificial intervertebral disc was developed, and its intrinsic biomechanical properties, bioactivity, and the effectiveness as a total disc replacement were evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

Objectives: To introduce a new artificial intervertebral disc and to evaluate the in vitro mechanical properties, fusion capacity to bone, and segmental biomechanics in the total intervertebral disc replacement using a sheep lumbar spine.

Summary Of Background Data: The loss of biologic fusion at the bone-implant interface and prosthetic failures have been reported in previous artificial discs.