Titanium cages

[Jeff Tobin]

My father is about to have an ALIF procedure with the BAK cage. I have read that the long term data on the BAK cage (fusion rates) is suspect because they were very selective in whom they chose for LT follow-up. Does a Titanium cage offer any advantage over bone dowels? If the data is suspect (I think a guy named Zdeblick reviewed the data), is there a better approach to the fusion?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Jeff:

I am sorry to hear about your father.  I have little experience dealing with the differences between titanium cages and bone fusion.  The one obvious advantage is not having to harvest alot of bone, using the titanium cage.  From my knowledge, most of it depends on the surgeon and the extent of the lesion involved.  When you are dealing with hardware, there is always the chance for hardware failure, especially at the attachment sites.  The more stress an area receives the more likely failure will occur.  These are generalities, without knowing the extent of the lesion it is difficult to tell you much.  I have seen both work well and have seen the reverse.  Sorry, I am not much help to you.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Judy - Follow-up question]

Try the neurology web forum at Mass general. There are many there with experience.

[Krstopher Garner]

I had my lower back shatterd in a car accident June/9/2000. To give an ideal of how vilent the crash was it was in a 91 CRX si going about 115mph. My ligaments and all were torn loose and two vertabrae were busted into about 90 pieces. I was airlifted to the University of Kentucky where Dr. Blades performed my fushion. I have two titainium bars n back and they took a piece of bone from my hip to mix with a cadiver bone and placed it in  a type of basket to fill in th spot were th bones are gone. The surgery was a success and thank god i am able to walk both on my hands and feet again believe it or not, wen they had said i would not walk again. I still have a lot of pain at night but the stinging in my hip and left leg are the worst. My doctors claim that I am a miracle.

[Krstopher Garner]

I had my lower back shatterd in a car accident June/9/2000. To give an ideal of how vilent the crash was it was in a 91 CRX si going about 115mph. My ligaments and all were torn loose and two vertabrae were busted into about 90 pieces. I was airlifted to the University of Kentucky where Dr. Blades performed my fushion. I have two titainium bars n back and they took a piece of bone from my hip to mix with a cadiver bone and placed it in  a type of basket to fill in th spot were th bones are gone. The surgery was a success and thank god i am able to walk both on my hands and feet again believe it or not, wen they had said i would not walk again. I still have a lot of pain at night but the stinging in my hip and left leg are the worst. My doctors claim that I am a miracle.

[Krstopher Garner]

I had my lower back shatterd in a car accident June/9/2000. To give an ideal of how vilent the crash was it was in a 91 CRX si going about 115mph. My ligaments and all were torn loose and two vertabrae were busted into about 90 pieces. I was airlifted to the University of Kentucky where Dr. Blades performed my fushion. I have two titainium bars n back and they took a piece of bone from my hip to mix with a cadiver bone and placed it in  a type of basket to fill in th spot were th bones are gone. The surgery was a success and thank god i am able to walk both on my hands and feet again believe it or not, wen they had said i would not walk again. I still have a lot of pain at night but the stinging in my hip and left leg are the worst. My doctors claim that I am a miracle I think my age and build helped my body to minimalize damage.

[dave]

To Jeff
the one who's father has to get the titanium caging, I'm 26 years old and just recently had the procedure, where they put one titnuim cage in through the front, they only put one in because the space between was big so they had to put one big one in instead of two.they went in through my stomach, Anyway it wasn't any fun for a fews weeks but I feel great,Its been about 6 weeks since my surgary I'm still in a backbrace,And will reman in it for a few more weeks till the fusion is 100% complete, I also have to wear a bone stimulater all the time . wich  is helping in the fusion , And from what ive read and people I've talked to that have had it also they seem to be doing great also.I plan to be going back into my nrmal routines in no time , Good luck

[Jeremy W]

On 05/31/99 I also shattered my lumbar area.  I have a titanium cage, two rods and a hook-claw.  I also was very lucky because i was to never walk again.  I had a few complications other than my back requiring five surgeries total.  I wore a brace until Christmas that year, and never thought my life would be the same.  I was 19 then and am now 21 and thanks to God I have a normal life.  I even have a 7 month old girl now ( that part wasnt supposed to work anymore :).  Hope everything heals well, good luck.