Simple facet joint repair with dynamic pedicular system: Technical note and case series.

Area of Science:

• Spine surgery
• Orthopedic biomechanics
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Facet joints are crucial for spinal stability.
• Damage to facet joints can cause instability and clinical issues.
• Current treatments may involve surgical removal, necessitating replacement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain the importance of facet joints.
• To review existing facet replacement systems.
• To describe a novel, simple, and effective method for facet joint replacement.

Main Methods:

• Ten patients with unilateral nerve root compression due to facet degeneration underwent surgery.
• Hypertrophic facet joints were removed using microsurgical techniques for nerve root decompression.
• A unilateral artificial facet joint was reconstructed using hinged screws and a dynamic rod.

Main Results:

• All ten patients achieved good or excellent clinical outcomes at follow-up (mean 13.3 months).
• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores improved significantly.
• Radiological assessments showed no implant-related complications.

Conclusions:

• Facet joint replacement is feasible when surgical removal is necessary for nerve decompression.
• A construct of hinged screws and a dynamic rod effectively mimics normal facet joint function.
• This technique offers a simple and effective solution for unilateral facet joint reconstruction.