LAUSR

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the range‐of‐motion after posterior polyetheretherketone‐based rod stabilisation combined with a dynamic silicone hinge in order to compare it with titanium rigid stabilisation. Methods Five human cadaveric lumbar spines with four vertebra each (L2 to L5) were tested in a temperature adjustable spine‐testing set‐up in four trials: (1) native measurement; (2) kinematics after rigid monosegmental titanium rod instrumentation with anterior intervertebral bracing of the segment L4/5; (3) kinematics after hybrid posterior polyetheretherketone rod instrumentation combined with a silicone hinge within the adjacent level (L3/4) and (4) kinematics after additional decompression with laminectomy of L4 and bilateral resection of the inferior articular processes (L3). During all steps, the specimens were loaded quasi‐statically with 1°/s with pure moment up to 7.5 Nm in flexion/extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. Findings In comparison to the native cadaveric spine, both the titanium device and polyetheretherketone‐based device reduce the range‐of‐motion within the level L4/5 significantly (flexion/extension: reduction of 77%, p < 0.001; lateral bending: reduction of 62%, p < 0.001; axial rotation: reduction of 71%, p < 0.001). There was a clear stabilisation effect after hybrid‐instrumentation within the level L3/4, especially in flexion/extension (64%, p < 0.001) and lateral bending (62%, p < 0.001) but without any effect on the axial rotation. Any temperature dependency has not been observed. Interpretation Surprisingly, the hybrid device compensates for laminectomy L4 and destabilising procedure within the level L3/4 in comparison to other implants. Further studies must be performed to show its effectiveness regarding the adjacent segment instability. HighlightsThe PEEK‐based and the titanium rod reduce the range‐of‐motion after instrumentation.No signs of hypermobility have been observed in the superior adjacent level.The dynamic construct constrained motions in flexion/extension and lateral bending.Partial resection of the facet joint has no influence on stability.Any temperature dependency has not been observed.