The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Clinical Trial
Lumbosacral fixation using expandable pedicle screws. an alternative in reoperation and osteoporosis.
Pedicle screw fixation in osteoporotic bone and in revision of previous pedicle screw fixation cases presents a significant challenge to spine surgeons. Biomechanical tests have shown that a pedicle screw that expands within the vertebrae body can substantially improve fixation in the presence of compromised bone. ⋯ The results of this study have shown that expandable pedicle screws can be efficacious in cases in which pedicle screw fixation is difficult and adds a valuable tool to the growing armamentarium of spinal instrumentation.