A 33-year-old member asked:
What are the metal plates for spinal surgery made of?
4 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Guyeranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 48 years experience
Various metals: Modern spinal plates such as those used in the cervical spine are usually made out of titanium which still allow the patient. In fact most spinal plants are made of titanium though in scoliosis some surgeons still prefer stainless rods. Some are even made of cobalt chrome.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Taro Kaibaraanswered
Neurosurgery 27 years experience
Titanium alloy: Most of the spinal instrumentation these days, consisting mainly of rods and screws, are made of titanium alloys. However depending upon the application or surgeon preference cobalt-chrome alloys are also available.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 31 years experience
A few options: Stainless steel is used, but less frequently these days. Titanium alloy made of titanium, vanadium and aluminum, is most common, with good imaging characteristics in MRI and ct as compared to stainless steel. The newest alloy used in spinal implants is cobalt chrome, which allows the use of thinner rods, but has imaging characteristics closer to titanium than to stainless steel.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Edward Hellmananswered
Orthopedic Surgery 31 years experience
Depends: Most spinal instrumentation used today is titanium, which allows the spine to be images using MRI postoperatively. Some implants are made of a combination of other materials known as alloys, the most common of which is cobalt chrome. Thank you for your question.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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