Fusion Techniques for Traumatic Injuries

Agreement over the most appropriate method of managing spinal column and spinal cord injuries is legitimately controversial, and opinion is strongly divided between nonoperative and operative approaches. Much of the disagreement centers on the definition of stability. 1–19a,b,c,d Nonoperative management was popularized and in vogue when early patient retrieval was not a factor, patients arrived at spinal centers weeks after injury, postural reduction was the only alternative, and rehabilitation the primary and single remaining option.* This approach, however, resulted in prolonged hospitalization, pain, lasting spinal deformity and disability.25–33 With the coming of operative intervention, the length of hospitalization was shortened, spinal deformities were prevented or corrected, decompression of neural tissue compromise provided for the preservation of neurological function, and early patient mobilization was possible.