Ceramics: Clinical evidence for ceramics in spine fusion

Spine fusion surgery is among the most common orthopedic procedures performed, with autologous iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) considered the gold standard for achieving arthrodesis. Ceramic-based bone grafts have been widely utilized to replace ICBG secondary to complications associated with graft harvest. This review summarizes the current literature regarding the use of ceramics in a variety of spine fusion surgeries, suggesting that ceramic-based bone grafts, when coupled with an osteoinductive source, represent a promising alternative to ICBG. While few high level studies exist, the preponderance of evidence suggests acceptable fusion rates when used appropriately in a variety of applications.