Innovative Screw Design Increases Construct Strength

A new pedicle screw intended for use in the non-cervical spine provides additional support during spinal fusion procedures.

The Stryker Corporation (Kalamazoo, MI, USA) Serrato Pedicle Screws accommodate a variety of rod diameters and materials to suit the patient’s needs, with features that include enhanced serrated cutting flutes, a unique dual-thread pattern with an increased number of leads for rapid insertion, and a patented buttress thread locking mechanism designed to minimize cross threading and splaying of the screw head. Serrato pedicle screws are available in both 5.5 and 6.0 mm diameters and in commercially pure titanium, titanium alloy, and Vitallium metals.

Serrato pedicle screws are intended for use with the Stryker Xia 3 Spinal System, an orthopedic spinal fusion system comprised of a variety of shapes and sizes of screws, blockers, and hooks that affix several different types of rods and connectors to vertebrae or the spinal column for purposes of stabilization, or corrective action for the treatment of acute and chronic instabilities or deformities such as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, trauma, spinal stenosis, curvatures, tumor, pseudarthrosis, and failed previous fusion.

“Pedicle screws have been used for decades with very few changes to their design,” said Bradley Paddock, president of Stryker’s Spine division. “The design innovations incorporated into Serrato reinforce our commitment to making industry-leading investments focused on providing the advanced spinal products and differentiated technologies that our surgeon customers have come to expect.”

Pedicle screws do not fixate the spinal segment, but rather act as firm anchor points that can then be connected with a rod. The screws are placed at two or three consecutive spine segments and then a short rod is used to connect the screws; this construct prevents motion at the segments that are being fused. After the bone graft grows, the screws and rods are no longer needed for stability and may be safely removed with a subsequent back surgery. However, most surgeons do not recommend removal unless the pedicle screws cause discomfort for the patient.