The use of cervical cages for treatment of cervical disc disease

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with autograft is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy and has been extensively studied in the literature. Controversies arise as to the optimal graft material for insertion into the disc space as well as the use of, and indications for, anterior plating. Recently, cervical interbody cages have added to this controversy. Many cervical cage designs exist; however, the most common is the threaded titanium interbody device. Proponents of the cervical cage believe that the cage can achieve the same fusion rate as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with minimal complications. Furthermore, cervical cage use can circumvent the morbidity associated with autograft harvest and the risk of infection associated with allograft. The literature from the last 2 years has focused mainly on in vivo fusion rates and in vitro biomechanical flexibility and stability analysis.