Biomechanical rigidity of an all-polyetheretherketone anterior thoracolumbar spinal reconstruction construct: an in vitro corpectomy model
Abstract
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is gaining favor as a spinal implant material for interbody and corpectomy cages as well as stabilizing rods. However, there has been little correlation to a relevant and reproducible clinical model. Biomechanical data on PEEK rod constructs have not been reported. To quantify the stabilizing effects of PEEK versus titanium (Ti) instrumentation in a thoracolumbar corpectomy model. Corpectomy and randomized instrumentation with an all-Ti, all-PEEK, and hybrid cage/rod construct were performed on cadaveric spines to assess biomechanical differences. Pure unconstrained bending moments were applied to the intact spine and subsequent test constructs in the three physiologic planes using a load control protocol. Motion tracking and analysis were carried out to quantify and compare the range of motion (ROM) between different test constructs in each plane. Flexion ROM did not show significant changes compared with intact, whereas the all-Ti and hybrid construct reduced ROM significantly in extension. Lateral bending was significantly reduced in all the treatment groups. Rotational stability of the construct was significantly compromised by an all-PEEK spinal construct. The rigidity of the corpectomy construc...Continue Reading
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