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Biomechanical evaluation of the Facet Wedge: a refined technique for facet fixation

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Abstract

Purpose

Purpose of this paper is to evaluate the primary stability of a new approach for facet fixation the so-called Facet Wedge (FW) in comparison with established posterior fixation techniques like pedicle screws (PS) and translaminar facet screws (TLS) with and without anterior cage interposition.

Methods

Twenty-four monosegmental fresh frozen non-osteoporotic human motion segments (L2–L3 and L4–L5) were tested in a two-arm biomechanical study using a robot-based spine tester. Facet Wedge was compared with pedicle screws and translaminar screws as a stand-alone device and in combination with an anterior fusion cage.

Results

Pedicle screws, FW and translaminar screws could stabilize an intact motion segment effectively. Facet Wedge was comparable to PS for lateral bending, extension and flexion and slightly superior for axial rotation. Facet Wedge showed a superior kinematic capacity compared to translaminar screws.

Conclusions

Facet Wedge offers a novel posterior approach in achieving primary stability in lumbar spinal fixation. The results of the present study showed that the Facet Wedge has a comparable primary stability to pedicle screws and potential advantages over translaminar screws.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Synthes AG (Switzerland) for financial and material support, the German Society of Arthroscopy (AGA) for technical support, and Raquel Billiones for her support in editing this article.

Conflict of interest

There are no other relationships/conditions/circumstances that present a potential conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, Wilhelms-University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, W1, 48149, Münster, Germany

    René Hartensuer, Oliver Riesenbeck, Martin Schulze, Dominic Gehweiler, Michael J. Raschke & Thomas Vordemvenne

  2. Sint Maartenskliniek, Postbus 9011, 6500 GM, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Paul W. Pavlov

Authors
  1. René Hartensuer
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  2. Oliver Riesenbeck
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  3. Martin Schulze
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  4. Dominic Gehweiler
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  5. Michael J. Raschke
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  6. Paul W. Pavlov
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  7. Thomas Vordemvenne
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Correspondence to René Hartensuer.

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Hartensuer, R., Riesenbeck, O., Schulze, M. et al. Biomechanical evaluation of the Facet Wedge: a refined technique for facet fixation. Eur Spine J 23, 2321–2329 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-014-3533-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-014-3533-2

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