Understanding the Role of Pedicle Screws in Spine Surgery
Pedicle screws have been an indispensable part of spinal surgeries for over 6 decades now. Surgeons across the globe use pedicle screws for spine fusion, fixation, and stabilization, improving the quality of life of countless patients.
Pedicle screws are spinal implants that are inserted typically into pedicles, the bony projections from the vertebral body that are located at the back of each vertebra. They are threaded screws made with surgery-grade titanium or stainless steel. They act as strong anchor points that can be connected with rods and other spinal implants, instead of fixating between the spinal segments. In addition, they offer multidirectional movement, unlike fixed-angle screws.
The design of pedicle screws enables them to provide support and stability to the spine, enabling the correction of deformities, fixation of fractured/ damaged/ worn out bones, treatment of instability caused by trauma/ degenerative condition, and spinal fusion.
In this blog, we will delve into the benefits and the role of pedicle screws in orthopedic spine surgeries. We will explore the advancements in pedicle screw technology while also helping you find the best pedicle screws and rods.
The Crucial Role of Pedicle Screws in Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Spinal Stabilization and Fixation
Pedicle screws are primarily used in spinal fixation and stabilization. They are typically crucial parts of spinal fixation systems that include screws, rods, and connectors. These screws are placed strategically in the pedicles to create a secure anchor point. Surgeons use pedicle screws for lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and cervical spine fixation and stabilization.
By immobilizing spinal segments and holding the vertebrate together, they stabilize the spine and provide strength. Since they offer multidirectional movement/ angulation, between the screw head and body, surgeons can alter its trajectory within the given range of movement and optimize implantation to the patient’s anatomy. These biomechanical advantages offered by pedicle screws make them preferred implants in spinal fixation.
In degenerative disc diseases, pedicle screws help ensure spinal stability, proper alignment, and pain reduction in patients.
Spinal Fusion
Pedicle screws are often used in spinal fusion procedures to fuse adjacent vertebral segments. Spinal fusion ensures that the motion between the vertebrae is eliminated and helps address conditions such as spinal deformities, instability, and degenerative disc diseases, among others.
Given the strength, stability, and support offered by pedicle screws to the vertebrate, they are leveraged in spinal fusion procedures. These polyaxial pedicle screws for spinal fusion are placed above and below the fused vertebrae and a rod connects these screws, preventing movement and allowing the bone graft to properly heal. Once the bone heals, the rods and screws are removed with subsequent surgery. Surgery and implant removal aren’t necessary if the patient doesn’t complain of any discomfort.
Pedicle screws, with their biomechanical properties, unmatched flexibility, and high levels of customizability, enable surgeons to customize screw trajectory to ensure its optimal positioning, ideal alignment, and better compression of the vertebral body. This ensures a higher fusion rate and better long-term patient outcomes.
Deformity Correction
Pedicle screws are perfect for the correction of spinal deformities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, etc. Why? Because these screws are adjustable and flexible in nature. So, surgeons can use a variety of angulations to suit the complex and unique anatomical requirements of each patient. They can achieve and maintain the desired spinal alignment and curvature.
Along with rods and connectors, pedicle screws provide a framework to support the spine adequately. They help in correcting deformities and maintaining proper alignment while also enabling personalized surgical care, better surgical outcomes, and heightened patient satisfaction.
Trauma and Fracture Stabilization
Pedicle screws are important in ortho-spine surgeries for trauma and fracture fixation. Following trauma or fracture, these screws are fixed in the affected area to immobilize the area in the early stages of recovery, provide strength and stability, prevent further damage, and promote faster healing.
Tumor Resection
Pedicle screws play a crucial role in tumor resection procedures where a significant part of the bone or tissue is removed owing to spinal tumor. These screws assist in stabilizing the spine and maintain spinal integrity.
Few of the Surgeries Where Orthopedic Spine Pedicle Screws Are Used
- Spinal column fractures
- Spinal infections
- Spinal stenosis
- Traumatic disruptions
- Lumbar arthrodesis
- Tumor removal in the spinal cord
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Osteoporosis
Enhancing Spinal Surgery: Advancements in Pedicle Screw Technology
The use of pedicle screws for spinal fusion began in the early 1960s in France. Back then, these screws were monoaxial and used in combination with plates to treat fractures, tumors, malunions, etc. The first version of polyaxial screws was developed decades later in 1989. Over time, there has been a continuous effort to innovate and improve the functionality and effectiveness of pedicle screws.
Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)
Given the small pedicle size of the thoracic spine and its complex anatomy, pedicle screw implantation in that region was particularly challenging. The use of freehand implantation technique, which relies heavily on tactile feedback and anatomic landmarks, further increased the risks of misplacement in thoracic spine fixation surgeries. This led to nerve root damage, hemorrhage, and spinal cord injury.
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) that requires small incisions and uses advanced imaging and specialized tools has helped address this challenge. Using MIS procedures and percutaneous approaches, surgeons are now able to implant pedicle screws, especially in thoracic surgeries, with much greater precision, minimal tissue disruption, reduced post-operative pain, minimal scarring, and much faster recovery.
Advanced Imaging and Navigation Tools
In addition to the MIS approach, the development of advanced navigation tools and HD imaging devices have helped revolutionize the outcomes of spinal procedures involving pedicle screws. These tools and devices have enabled surgeons to strengthen the accuracy of spinal surgical procedures, navigating complex spinal anatomy with much greater precision and minimizing the risk of complications.
Precise Instruments
The development of precise and safe instrumentation has also helped improve the efficacy, precision, and outcomes of spinal fusion using pedicle screw systems.
Design Advancements
Design advancements in pedicle screw systems have helped in revolutionizing surgical outcomes. From antimicrobial coatings to prevent the risk of post-operative infections to customized 3D-printed screws and expandable screws, medical device companies and researchers are continuously innovating to improve the efficacy and outcome of surgeries.
Finding The Best Pedicle Screws and Rods
Gesco is a renowned medical device manufacturer, synonymous with innovation, excellence, and precision. We design, develop, and manufacture a whole range of pedicle screw systems to help improve the quality of life of countless patients through effective spinal fixation and stabilization. As pedicle screw manufacturers, we ensure that our entire range of screws and instrumentation are of top quality, precise, cost-effective, and surgery ready.
To explore our range of best pedicle screws and rods, visit our website now!