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Customised cervical cage

Posted , 3 users are following.

Tash_2896
Tash_2896

Hi All,

A quick question for anyone with some insight, particularly anyone who has had cervical discectomy and fusion or ACDF; if the technology was up to scratch, could using a custom 3D printed titanium cage that exactly fits an individual’s existing anatomy interest anyone? This would be an alternative to generic cages of different sizes. For a college assignment I’m proposing a hypothetical future where most implants are custom made. For a cervical cage, MRI scans would be used to model around a “template” cage resulting in the surface plates exactly fitting the form of the persons upper and lower vertebral surfaces. Does anyone think custom implants are the way of the future? Or are there reasons they might not work for spines?

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • mark69155
    mark69155 Tash_2896

    Posted

    Ive had two ACDFS with no issues that stemmed from the surgery or traditional equipment used (cadaver bone and titanium plates/screws).I only see your methodology being better solution if it lowered cost.

    • Tash_2896
      Tash_2896 mark69155

      Posted

      Thanks mark69155 - good to hear you had a positive outcome 😃 I've read that pain and revision is reasonably common for ACDFs. Unfortunately this proposed method would probably carry a big cost still - at least in early stages

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