The breakthrough in technological advancement in the Spinal Implants industry is vast. The spinal devices market is forecasted to grow more than 19.5 billion US Dollars by 2024. The dependency on implant procedures is growing as they enable the correction of spinal ailments with minimally invasive surgeries. While most spinal conditions do not require surgery, there are times when surgery is necessary.
As a leading Medical Device manufacturer, our commitment encourages us to stay on top of the latest spinal implants procedures, surgery techniques and technological advancements in the market. This article covers spinal implant types, usage, and developing trends.
What are Spinal Implants:
Spinal or spine implants are support systems made of titanium, stainless steel and other non-metallic compounds to empower and improve the solidness of spine and are often used when spinal conditions require surgery. The spinal implants are surgically placed to strengthen the spine, correct deformities, and treat spinal level distortions. The common conditions that require spinal implant surgery include spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc diseases, trauma fractures, scoliosis, and some cases of spinal instability.
The spinal implants are available in different forms and shapes to accommodate the requirements of all ages, sizes and gender.
Spinal Implants Market:
Numerous technological advances have recently been made in the field of spinal implants. In 2021, the market for spinal implants around the world was valued at $15.4 billion. To the tune of $22.5 billion, this is projected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5 percent over the course of the forecast year.
The expanding use of implant techniques and the growing popularity of minimally invasive surgeries enable surgeons to make smaller incisions and achieve better results for their patients. The limitations of MIS operations, which typically involve cavities that are both narrower and deeper, make it absolutely necessary to have improved visualization.
Our commitment to excellence as a leading Spinal Implant Manufacturer encourages us to keep abreast of the most recent spine implants, spinal surgery procedures, and technological developments that are available on the market. This article discusses the different types of spinal implants, when they should be used, and emerging trends in the field.
Who can benefit from spinal implants?
In the United States alone, chronic lower back pain causes about 150 million workdays lost annually. According to some estimates, around 80 percent of adults will suffer from back discomfort at some point in their lives. A quarter of adults, on average, have reported experiencing back discomfort at some point in the most recent three months.
Back pain can be caused by a wide variety of factors in an individual’s life. Sprains and strains, the natural wear and tear that takes place in discs and bones, and sciatica are some of the more common causes of back pain. Infections, tumors, and disorders such as kidney stones are some of the possible causes of other types of low back pain.
A variety of treatments, including spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and nerve block therapy, are available for less severe cases of LBP (lower back pain). In the event that these treatments are unsuccessful, surgical intervention may be considered.
Treatment for back pain typically involves some combination of physical therapy, medication, and exercise. However, if the condition is severe enough, surgery and maybe the insertion of spinal implants may be required. Spinal implants aren’t the best solution for people who suffer from back discomfort all of the time, but for some people, they’re the perfect choice.
When are spinal implants needed?
Spine/ Spinal Implants can be utilised to treat a wide variety of back conditions and deformities. Scoliosis, kyphosis, degenerative disc disease, and fractures are some of the conditions that can be addressed using this method. Its major purpose is to assist in the fusion of two vertebrae together and to replace the natural material that makes up the disc.
The group or category that anything belongs in will be established on the basis of its function. The following are some of the roles that can be assisted by implants, as defined by Orthopedic and Laser Spine Surgery:
- Correction of deformities
- Enhancing the strength and stability of the spine, which in turn makes the fusion of two vertebrae easier to accomplish.
Types of Spinal Implants
Fusion spinal implants and non-fusion spinal implants are the two categories that make up this market for spinal implants. (for further explanation, see below).
Fusion
Spinal fusion operation involves connecting fusing two or more structures to one another. Spinal implants are used during fusion operations to fuse or connect vertebrae to limit stress or movement in the area. Fusion operations are designed to create a union between two bones or structures, spine implants are used during spinal fusion surgery by a spine surgeon and are often used along with a bone graft.
The commonly used types of fusion implants are,
Cages
They are often called “interbody cages” as they help create and maintain space between two areas. Cages are used along with a bone graft to promote bone growth between adjacent vertebrae. They are used both in Cervical and Lumbar areas. They are generally made of Titanium or PEEK.
Pedicle Screws
These screws are implanted into the pedicles and are traditionally used in the lumbar spine, with recent advances in technology and technique, surgeons are now using them in the thoracic spine too. Pedicle screws provide strong “anchorage” points to which rods can be attached. Rods can then be contoured to correct deformities and to facilitate fusion. (DENIQUE)
Rods
Rods are used to stabilize the spine during a spinal fusion procedure. They are typically used with hooks and pedicle screws to contour the spine into the desired alignment. They are customized according to the patient’s spine to match the contours. (DENIQUE)
Plates
They are most commonly used in procedures involving cervical spine to provide stability and keep the vertebrae in position. This process facilitates healing and bone formation to develop without compression.
Non- Fusion
The non-fusion surgical procedures attempt to fix without connecting structures together. The most common non-fusion type of implant is an artificial spinal disc that is used to replace a damaged or degenerative disc. It is designed in a way to mimic the movement of a healthy spinal disc. The implementation of artificial discs also allows a wider range of motion post the procedure. There have been many advancements in developing artificial discs. They are manufactured by utilizing components with traditional titanium designs with specialized coatings and advanced surfacing. (C-DISC)
Spinal procedures with implants are increasingly suggested and preferred for immediate alleviation of pain. Surgery, whether it is minimally invasive or not will have most people back on their feet again, living their best life.
Scientists along with OEMs around the world are constantly working to develop and refine implants. In recent years there have been huge advances, including the invention of the hook, rod, and screw systems that enable surgeons to correct spinal deformities 3-dimensionally; the development of special plates and cages that help promote spinal fusion; and the creation of small but strong implants for children.
Surgeries that use spinal implants
In the following paragraphs, we will examine four distinct surgical procedures that include the insertion of spinal implants. In particular, we will be looking at anterior, posterior, and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions, in addition to axial fusions.
Spine surgery can be performed in a variety of different ways. There are three different directions that surgeons can approach the spine during surgery: anterior (from the front of the spine), posterior (from the back of the spine), and lateral (on the side of the spine).
- Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
The anterior technique enables direct access to the disc from the front of the spine. Using this technique, surgeons can gain access to the spine without damaging or shifting the nerves.
In most cases, a vascular surgeon will aid the orthopedic surgeon in moving the organs and blood vessels to expose the right disc.
- Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
The most prevalent procedures are posterior lumbar fusions.
Backwards, the spine is approached. The majority of PLIFs are performed on the lumbar or lower spine (L4-L5 or L5-S1 region). A cage or other form of spinal implant is put into the disc space to restore the space between the vertebrae.
- Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
TLIF is a spinal fusion treatment that is performed from the back of the spine. The vertebrae are linked to surgical implants like rods and pedicle screws. To connect the interbody gap, bone transplants are implanted. It unites the bones of the spine to address instability or weakness.
- Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion (AxiaLIF)
Through an incision at the tailbone, the AxiaLIF technique reaches the disc from the front of the sacrum. A minimally invasive spinal fusion is performed. The injured section of the disc is removed and bone graft material is used to replace it.
Degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis can all be treated with this type of spinal fusion. The fusion will aid in the stabilization of the spine and the relief of discomfort.
Material Selection In Spinal Implants:
In general, there are three categories into which biomaterials for orthopaedic surgery can be divided: metals, ceramics, and polymers. A low elastic modulus that is near to cortical bone, high wear resistance, high strength, high corrosion resistance, high fracture toughness, and high ductility are ideal material characteristics for orthopaedic implants. Unfortunately, no substance possesses all of the desired qualities, and some of them—like a low elastic modulus and a high strength—even work against one another. Therefore, the material selected for any type of implant depends on its unique needs, which are crucial and essential for the implant’s special purpose. This could result in different parts of a single implant being made of various materials to best fit its intended use. Spinal implants were mostly made of metal alloys such stainless steel, pure titanium, and titanium-aluminum-vanadium in the previous century. Recent advancements in the field of non-metallic biomaterials have allowed for the use of novel materials like PEEK and composites. Stainless steel (SS), titanium, cobalt chrome, nitinol (a nickel titanium alloy), tantalum, and polyetheretherketone are the materials that have been utilised most frequently (PEEK).
Purpose
Each form of spinal implant has a unique function, which determines the materials that will likely be utilized in its production. Metal is frequently used due to the necessity for pedicle screws, hooks, rods, and plates to be as stable as possible. The use of cages made of carbon-fiber-reinforced composite, on the other hand, enables natural bone growth.
Durability
When considering spinal implants, one of the most important questions to ask is how long the implant will last once it has been placed in the spine of the patient. For the purpose of safeguarding the internal structure of the implant, the medical device may, in certain circumstances, be outfitted with a plastic bearing surface. Titanium and stainless steel are often the two materials that are utilised for implants because of their exceptional durability.
Flexibility
The majority of implants that are utilised are designed to precisely replicate the natural mechanics of the spine and related disc materials as nearly as possible. This is particularly true for those implants that are used in spinal fusion surgery. Because of this, a certain amount of flexibility is typically required in order to make room for natural movement. In the case of artificial discs, for instance, which are utilised in disc replacement surgery, a metal of some kind is used for the exterior of the disc, and rubber polyethylene is utilised to duplicate the flexible centre of the natural disc.
Weight
Weight is another crucial factor to consider. Titanium, for instance, weighs only one-fifth as much as stainless steel does, which is why doctors typically opt to utilise titanium when they need a metal for spinal implants. Titanium has a great resistance to corrosion, which contributes to the material’s ability to lengthen the lifespan of implants.
What drives the need for Spinal Implants
In spinal fusion surgery, spinal implants are frequently employed. As your spine recovers following the surgery, the implants assist in keeping the vertebrae in place. Even while back surgery is typically a last resort, there are some circumstances where it may be the best course of action.
Spinal arthritis: Severe forms of spinal arthritis can cause significant movement between two vertebrae, which makes the spine unstable. In addition to pain in the lower back and limbs, the instability can make a person feel weak in the arms and legs. If the issue is allowed to worsen, it may result in spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal.
Scoliosis and Other Spinal Deformities: Scoliosis occurs when the spine curves in an unnatural direction. It frequently happens during the first few months of puberty and is typically relatively mild. There are instances where the curve is highly noticeable, which can cause issues with the heart and lungs in addition to chronic back pain. While less severe occurrences of scoliosis frequently do not require treatment or can be managed by wearing a back brace, spinal fusion and spinal implants can help to treat more severe types. The implants aid in stabilising the spine and preventing it from bending.
Broken vertebrae: Without the need for treatment, broken vertebrae frequently mend on their own. However, spinal implants can regain the stability of the spine if the vertebrae don’t heal completely or if it does so thereafter.
Spondylolisthesis: When a vertebra slips out of place and onto the bone directly below it, the condition is known as spondylolisthesis. In some instances, the slipped vertebra might irritate the nerve below by applying pressure to it. Congenital forms of the condition are possible, although degenerative spondylolisthesis is the most typical variety. As a person ages, the discs between the spinal bones get smaller, which can lead to the development of degenerative spondylolisthesis.
If the problem doesn’t improve with conservative forms of treatment, spinal implants may be used to treat it. Laminectomy, a procedure that eliminates the section of the bone that presses on the nerves, is frequently combined with spinal fusion.
Spinal implants: Advantages and Drawbacks
Like any surgical procedure or medical procedure, spinal implants have advantages and disadvantages. Whether implants are the best choice for you will depend on how well your back pain has reacted to other treatments, how long you’ve had it, and whether or not your doctor advises it. Before making a choice, it can be beneficial to thoroughly consider the benefits and drawbacks of surgery and implants.
Pros:
Relief from Discomfort: After having spinal implants and surgery, many people report a dramatic improvement in their back pain.
Increase in Physical activity: One of the main reasons people miss work is back pain. Surgery and implants may be necessary to increase your productivity and get you back on the job if your pain has been so severe that it has forced you to call out or quit your job.
Less intrusive procedures are possible: There are a variety of minimally invasive procedures available, including spinal fusion methods and the placement of a spinal stimulator. With minimally invasive procedures, you can return to your regular routine faster and with fewer difficulties.
Cons:
Risk of infection: This risk exists with all forms of surgery. These hazards are typically significantly reduced if a surgeon uses good sanitation techniques both before and during the procedure. The risk of infection can be decreased according to your surgeon’s recommendations for wound care after surgery.
Surgery alters the way your spine functions, which might cause new issues: To relieve pressure and improve spinal stability, two vertebrae are fused together during spinal fusion. However, there may be some unintended consequences if the vertebrae are fused. Your spine may be changing, which could put new strain on a different group of vertebrae, and you might find it difficult to adjust. There may be a potential that the procedure and the implants will result in a new problem in the future.
Possibility of a another surgery: These other parts of your spine may begin to deteriorate as a result of the modifications the implant has induced in your spine. That may indicate that you will require more surgery years from now.
At GESCO Healthcare, we partner with global medical device Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to design and manufacture various high-quality spinal implants that are surgery-ready and precise.
