Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37950318›Full record

ArticleJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2023

Finite element analysis comparing a PEEK posterior fixation device versus pedicle screws for lumbar fusion.

Robert K Eastlack, Pierce D Nunley, Kornelis A Poelstra, Alexander R Vaccaro, Marcus Stone, Larry E Miller, Pierre Legay, Julien Clin, Aakash Agarwal

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed
1.8field-weighted citation impact, top 15% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. [Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 7 institutions in 2 countries.

Robert K EastlackDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, CA, USA.
Pierce D NunleySpine Institute of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA, USA.
Kornelis A PoelstraDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Alexander R VaccaroDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Marcus StoneSpine Institute of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA, USA.
Larry E MillerMiller Scientific, 3101 Browns Mill Road, Ste 6, #311, Johnson City, TN, 37604, USA. larry@millerscientific.com.
Pierre LegayNumalogics Inc., Montreal, QC, Canada.
Julien ClinNumalogics Inc., Montreal, QC, Canada.
Aakash AgarwalDepartments of Bioengineering and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
Spine Institute of Louisiana · USSpinologics (Canada) · CAFoster-Miller (United States) · USRothman Institute · USScripps Clinic · USThomas Jefferson University · USUniversity of Toledo · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPedicle screw loosening and breakage are common causes of revision surgery after lumbar fusion. Thus, there remains a continued need for supplemental fixation options that offer immediate stability without the associated failure modes. This finite element analysis compared the biomechanical properties of a novel cortico-pedicular posterior fixation (CPPF) device with those of a conventional pedicle screw system (PSS).

methodsThe CPPF device is a polyetheretherketone strap providing circumferential cortical fixation for lumbar fusion procedures via an arcuate tunnel. Using a validated finite element model, we compared the stability and load transfer characteristics of CPPF to intact conditions under a 415 N follower load and PSS conditions under a 222 N preload. Depending on the instrumented levels, two different interbody devices were used: a lateral lumbar interbody device at L4-5 or an anterior lumbar interbody device at L5-S1. Primary outcomes included range of motion of the functional spinal units and anterior load transfer, defined as the total load through the disk and interbody device after functional motion and follower load application.

resultsAcross all combinations of interbody devices and lumbar levels evaluated, CPPF consistently demonstrated significant reductions in flexion (ranging from 90 to 98%), extension (ranging from 88 to 94%), lateral bending (ranging from 75 to 80%), and torsion (ranging from 77 to 86%) compared to the intact spine. Stability provided by the CPPF device was comparable to PSS in all simulations (range of motion within 0.5 degrees for flexion-extension, 0.6 degrees for lateral bending, and 0.5 degrees for torsion). The total anterior load transfer was higher with CPPF versus PSS, with differences across all tested conditions ranging from 128 to 258 N during flexion, 89-323 N during extension, 135-377 N during lateral bending, 95-258 N during torsion, and 82-250 N during standing.

conclusionUnder the modeled conditions, cortico-pedicular fixation for supplementing anterior or lateral interbody devices between L4 and S1 resulted in comparable stability based on range of motion measures and less anterior column stress shielding based on total anterior load transfer measures compared to PSS. Clinical studies are needed to confirm these finite element analysis findings.

Indexed as

Pedicle ScrewsSpinal FusionBenzophenonesBiomechanical PhenomenaFinite Element AnalysisLumbar VertebraePolymersRange of Motion, ArticularBenzophenonespolyetheretherketonePolymersCortical fixationKarmaLumbar spinePedicle screwPosterior fixation

Identifiers

PMID37950318
PMCPMC10636999
OpenAlexW4388571920

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.