Single-cage TLIF approximates biomechanical stability and increases the stress of the bone graft. The use of a single cage may simplify the standard TLIF procedure, shorten operative times, decrease cost, and provide satisfactory clinical outcomes. Thus, single-cage TLIF is a useful alternative to traditional 2-cage TLIF.

The TLIF procedure increases the approximate biomechanical stability and reduces stress at the cage-endplate interface, except for a slight increase in screw stress. Clinically, the TLIF procedure may reduce many of the risks and limitations associated with PLIF and offer a useful alternative to the PLIF procedure.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of acromioclavicular joint morphology in the presence of subacromial erosion after hook plate fixation.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 36 patients (17 men, 19 women; mean age, 48.7 years; range, 21–76 years) treated with hook plate fixation for distal clavicular fractures (n = 20) or acromioclavicular joint dislocation (n = 16) from August 2011 to March 2013. The patients were divided into two groups: the subacromial erosion group (18 patients) and the normal group (18 patients). Differences in multiple anatomical parameters between the two groups were measured and compared.ResultsThe distal clavicle–acromion angle was significantly larger in the subacromial erosion group (mean, 51.37° ± 5.59°) than in the normal group (mean, 44.20° ± 3.83°), as was the distal clavicle–coronal angle (mean, 25.44° ± 2.51° vs. 21.67° ± 4.06°, respectively). The thickness of the acromion was significantly different between men and women (9.72 ± 1.13 vs. 8.16 ± 1.89 mm, respectively).ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that the distal clavicle–acromion angle and distal clavicle–coronal angle are closely correlated with the occurrence of subacromial erosion after hook plate fixation.

No abstract