Do angled (lordotic) spacers restore the lower-back curve better in lateral fusion?
Do lordotic cages provide better segmental lordosis versus nonlordotic cages in lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF)?
In simple words
In lateral lumbar fusion, a spacer (cage) is placed in the disc space from the side. This study compared angled 'lordotic' cages with flat ones to see which better restores the lower back's natural inward curve.
What the study looked at
X-rays of 40 patients (61 spinal levels), average age 57, who had lateral lumbar fusion: 10° lordotic cages at 31 levels and flat cages at 30 levels.
What it found
Lordotic cages increased the inward curve at the fused level by about 2.8°, while flat cages made no significant change (about 0.6°). Both types increased disc height at the front and back. Neither changed the overall curve of the lower back.
Why it matters for patients
Angled cages help shape the curve at the fused level, and both types lift the disc space, which can relieve pressure on nerves indirectly.
Authors: Sembrano JN, Horazdovsky RD, Sharma AK, Yson SC, Santos ERG, Polly DW Jr · Clin Spine Surg 2017;30(4):E338–E343