Modern medical science has made many advances over the years, especially when it comes to treatments to correct damage to the body from injury and disease. In fact, thanks to precision medical machining, many types of surgeries and fusion procedures are making life better today for millions of people.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is a special technique used to fuse two or more vertebrae in the lower (lumbar) spine, and sometimes in the cervical (neck) or thoracic (mid) spine. This method is used for problems with degenerative disk disease, herniated disks, fractures and sometimes to correct a condition called scoliosis (curvature of the spine).
In order to fuse vertebrae, bone tissue, grafts, or synthetic bone material are implanted into the spine. To stabilize the spinal structure the surgeon must use special screws, plates, cages or a combination of materials. These materials are usually made from metals like titanium because it causes less irritation to the body and there is virtually no chance of corrosion. These parts are created with a special precision medical machining method (due to the hardness of the materials) and some require a high degree of tolerance.
After the bone materials are implanted and the spine is stabilized, the body begins the natural process of healing and in time, this can restore lost function to the spine. After fusion, there is no longer any flexibility in the fused joints, but the rest of the spine remains functional. Today there is much research and advancements being made in artificial spinal joints and they may become more popular as technology advances.
Kyphosis
Some people are born with a spinal abnormality resulting in kyphosis or humped back. This occurs with a condition called Scheuermann’s Disease. It also may be caused by trauma, injury, arthritis, osteoporosis or other conditions. With the help of surgical intervention and precision machined medical components, some of these conditions can be vastly improved.
Broken Bones
In some cases, it is necessary to use special implants or screws to help broken bones heal. This sometimes occurs with cases of multiple fractures and the bones may be unable to heal straight and properly without surgical intervention. The right kind of implant procedure keeps everything in place while the bones eventually heal.
Thanks to advances in precision medical machining, a whole new world of technology has opened up. This is restoring mobility to many people and also helping them live a pain free existence.
