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← Return to C3-4-5 ACDF 10 years ago. Having fusion for C6-7. I'm confused.
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C3-4-5 ACDF 10 years ago. Having fusion for C6-7. I'm confused.
Spine Health | Last Active: 6 hours ago | Replies (4)Comment receiving replies
ricky, I'm no help but
usually with an anterior lumbar body fusion they use a plate to stabilize the cage. The newer cages are ridged and are stand alone cages I don't know the surgical intention but sometimes they remove the plate and don't need to replace it. It is quite rare to remove the cage because it's usually imbedded in the bone.
https://www.genesismedicalplastics.com/markets-and-applications/spinal-implants/what-is-a-cervical-cage/.
\https://surgeryreference.aofoundation.org/spine/trauma/subaxial-cervical/basic-technique/anterior-plating
These links are for the images of the plate and cages.
I'm hoping you'll have a third opinion.
Replies to "ricky, I'm no help but usually with an anterior lumbar body fusion they use a plate..."
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@gently
Thank you very much for your reply and especially for the excellent links you included. I learned some things I was totally unfamiliar with; such as the use of PEEK by many surgeons. Reading all that you sent me has provided me with facts I can use to ask better questions this Friday, when I see the surgeon I went to for a second opinion. I'm scheduled to talk to my surgeon on August 18. If I remain unsure about both surgeons, I have been planning to seek a third opinion, as you suggested.