How Do Expandable Cages Hold Up in Spine Surgery?

Expandable interbody cages are becoming a go-to in spine surgery. They help fix disc height and alignment with less invasive procedures. But, there's a catch. Doctors worry about how well these cages hold up over time. A recent study looked at 40 patients who got these cages in their lower backs. The study checked how well the cages worked right after surgery and then again after 3 and 12 months. The good news? The cages did a great job right after surgery, boosting disc height by about 8. 6 millimeters. The not-so-good news? Over time, the height started to decrease, especially in cases where the cage sank into the bone, known as subsidence. By 3 months, about 36% of the cases showed signs of subsidence. By 12 months, that number went up to 45. 5%. Despite this, no one needed another surgery. The study also found that while the disc height decreased, the overall curve of the spine stayed stable. The study suggests that these cages are a good option for spine surgery. But, doctors need to be careful about who gets them and how they're put in. This way, they can lower the risk of the cage sinking into the bone.