Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Spinal fusion - series: Interbody cage fusion

 Interbody cage fusion

Spinal fusion - series
Illustrations:

  • Normal anatomy
  • Indications
  • Incision
  • Procedure: Posterolateral gutter fusion
  • Interbody cage fusion
  • Pedicle screw

    • Interbody cage fusion uses a hollow threaded titanium or carbon fiber cylinder to fuse two vertebrae together. The diseased disk is removed and two interbody cages are placed in the opening where the diseased disk has been removed. The cages are filled with bone graft. The bone grows through the holes in the cages fusing the vertebrae.

    Update Date: 12/12/2008

    Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/12/2008).

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