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

Abstract

In anterior spinal arthrodesis, spinal instrumentation is mainly exposed to bending stress, with decreased load-sharing with corresponding development of the spinal fusion. Continuous bone remodeling of the anterior fusion mass results in concurrent decreases in spinal instrumentation and posterior spinal element load-transmission. The principal healing mechanism of ceramic anterior interbody spinal fusion is not an osseous union between the ceramic and vertebral body, but bridging bone formation around the ceramic, which directly connects the vertebral bodies above and below the disc.