Arthrodesis by the distraction-compression method using a stainless steel implant.

A new process for arthrodesis in humans is presented. The process has been used successfully in the cervical spine of horses and has potential for human use. The concept is encompassed in the process of an anterior cervical fusion and is an adaptation of that established practice but using an implant of stainless steel containing autogenous bone graft to encourage through-the-implant growth of bone. In the future, it may have use in the human spine and other joints.