[History of internal fixators. The subsequent importance for spinal surgery]

Area of Science:

• Spinal surgery
• Orthopedic implants
• Biomechanical engineering

Background:

• Retrospective analysis of spinal implants from the 1970s and 1980s.
• Historical development of internal fixators as successors to external fixators.

Observation:

• Pedicled screws anchored dorsally in vertebral bodies (thoracic, lumbar, sacrum).
• Screws connected by a rod for longitudinal support, allowing adjustable distances and angles.
• Creation of angular and rotationally stable, bilateral constructs for fixing vertebrae.

Findings:

• First human application in 1982 for unstable spinal fractures.
• Successful short-stretch fixation and immediate patient mobilization achieved.
• Expanded indications to non-traumatological spinal instability.
• Development of multisegmental applications, user-friendly designs, and titanium materials.

Implications:

• Established universal spinal stabilization systems for diverse conditions (degeneration, deformities, tumors, olisthesis).
• The fundamental principles of spinal fixators are now standard in global dorsal stabilizing implants.