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Seminars in Neurosurgery 2000; 11(2): 183-192
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-13225
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

CURRENT ROLE OF PEDICLE SCREWS IN THE LUMBAR SPINE

Nevan G. Baldwin, David G. Malone
  • University of New Mexico, Division of Neurosurgery, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Neurosurgery, Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The development of pedicle screw instrumentation systems has revolutionized spine surgery. From a biomechanical perspective, pedicle screws provide the greatest degree of spinal stabilization among all spinal implants. Pedicle screws, attached to rods linked by crossmembers, provide rigid control of vertebral body motion in all three spatial dimensions. This characteristic provides substantial advantages to the spinal surgeon for treatment of numerous disorders. Pedicle screws offer distinct advantages in the treatment of tumors, trauma, and deformity of the lumbar spine. They can be applied in nearly any situation involving instability of the lumbar spine.

KEYWORD

Complications - indications - pedicle screws - spinal instrumentation

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