SPINAL FIXATION .2. FIXATION TECHNIQUES AND HARDWARE FOR THE THORACICAND LUMBOSACRAL SPINE

Spinal fixation devices are used in the thoracic and lumbosacral spine to stabilize the spine, reduce deformities and fractures, and replace abnormal vertebrae. A bone fusion is usually attempted along with pla cement of the instrumentation because in most cases the hardware would eventually fail if it were used alone. The thoracolumbar spine is inh erently unstable, and early operative intervention improves mobilizati on and rehabilitation. In some cases of lumbar spinal pain, surgical i ntervention is necessary for the treatment of conditions such as herni ated disks, spondylolysis with spondylolisthesis, and degenerative dis ease with scoliosis. Surgical procedures consist of posterior (posteri or elements) and anterior (vertebral body) fixation. Radiologists face continual changes in both surgical technique and instrumentation and should be knowledgeable about the devices available and the biomechani cal principles that direct their use. They need to work with their sur gical colleagues to become familiar with the techniques used at their institutions.