- Aims
- Decrease the incidence of graft or cage subsidence and dislodgement,
- Minimize kyphotic collapse of the fused interface,
- Improve fusion rates,
- Minimize the need for postoperative external immobilization.
- Classification
- Static (constrained) plates
- Screws rigidly locked to the plate
- Pros
- Allows direct transfer of applied forces from spine to plate,
- Cons
- Theoretical risk of stress shielding of the anterior spinal column is present
- Esp trauma.
- Dynamic (semi-constrained) plates.
- Screws that are restricted from backing out from the plate but attempt to allow some degree of load sharing between the plate and the anterior spinal column.
- Pros
- Setting of multilevel corpectomies --> graft subsidence by dynamic plates may reduce implant failure
- Cons
- Graft settling which may lead to segmental kyphosis, foraminal stenosis,
- plate impingement on the superior adjacent disc space;
- In the treatment of degenerative disorders, no studies have established superiority of one particular type of plate.
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