Open AccessOptimizing the Spinal Interbody Implant: Current Advances in Material Modification and Surface Treatment Technologies
Author(s) -
Paul J. Park,
Ronald A. Lehman
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1935-973X
pISSN - 1935-9748
DOI - 10.1007/s12178-020-09673-5
Subject(s) - peek , titanium , implant , materials science , titanium alloy , surface modification , spinal fusion , surface roughness , biomedical engineering , osseointegration , medicine , composite material , surgery , alloy , mechanical engineering , metallurgy , engineering , polymer
Interbody implants allow for fusion of the anterior column of the spine between vertebral body endplates. As rates of spinal fusion surgery have increased over the past several years, significant research has been devoted to optimizing both the mechanical and biologic properties of the interbody implant in order to promote bony fusion. The first interbody implants used decades ago were fashioned from cortical autograft. Currently, titanium alloy and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) are the most widely used and studied materials for this purpose. This review focuses on recent innovations in material modification and surface treatment techniques for both titanium and PEEK implants to maximize fusion rates in spinal surgery.