Ds. Lovick et al., ASSESSMENT OF PRIMARY AND SALVAGE LATERAL MASS SCREW INSERTION TORQUEIN A CADAVERIC MODEL, Journal of spinal disorders, 10(5), 1997, pp. 431-435
This study was performed to determine the insertion torques of three t
ypes of lateral mass screws and to explore their relationship to bone
mineral density (BMD). The peak insertion torque of primary articular
screws was measured, and the holes were then stripped by overtightenin
g. Larger diameter ''salvage'' screws were placed in the stripped hole
s, and peak insertion torque was measured. Peak primary screw insertio
n torque and BMD were positively correlated (r = 0.48, p = 0.00001). T
he ratio of salvage to primary screw insertion torque varied significa
ntly among the systems (p = 0.0003). The positive correlation between
BMD and primary screw peak insertion torque confirms the importance of
bone density for satisfactory screw purchase. The large variation in
the ratio of salvage to primary screw insertion torque among systems m
ay be due to differences in primary and salvage screw design.