How Surgeons Achieve Comprehensive Spinal Fusion with Facet Fixation
Cervical Spine: NorthStar Facet Fusion
NorthStar™ Facet Fusion was designed to support two critical objectives of posterior cervical fusion: lateral mass fixation and robust fusion. Demonstrated in the all-in-one Facet Prep Instruments that simultaneously guide lateral mass screw trajectory, facilitate facet joint decortication, and integrate biologic delivery.
Together, Facet Prep Instruments and OsteoStrand™ Cervical Pellets enable surgeons to reproducibly locate, decorticate, and fuse in the cervical spine.
Why do surgeons choose
NorthStar Facet Fusion?
- A complete cervical fusion kit
- 2x more fusion surface area compared to standard methods1
- Reproducible lateral mass screw pathway prep2
- Zero-prep, integrated delivery of precision-shaped biologics
- OsteoStrand™ fibers with demonstrated fusion results3,4
Locate
Improved screw trajectory
Reduced rates of screw breach
Sagittal screw angle measured relative to inferior facet joint
Freehand
Facet Fusion
Decorticate
NorthStar Facet Fusion
Standard of Care
Efficient, repeatable method maximizes the decorticated surface area inside the facet joint
Burring can be inconsistent and limited to the facet joint line
Fuse
NorthStar Facet Fusion
Robust fusion through the facet joint on
6-month post-op CT
Standard of Care
Standard facet burring and eggshell-like fusion over the facet joint
Lumbar Spine: FLASH Facet Fusion
Navigated MIS procedures for lumbar spinal fusion have grown as navigation systems become more readily available. Fusion in MIS presents unique challenges to surgeons due to limited visibility and access to the posterior elements.
FLASH™ Facet Fusion is a navigation-compatible system that accesses the facet joints and acts as a working channel for the entire facet fusion procedure. FLASH Facet Fusion Instruments and FLASH Facet Pellets offer surgeons a technique to reproducibly locate, decorticate, and fuse in minimally invasive lumbar procedures.
Why do surgeons choose FLASH Facet Fusion?
- Navigation-compatible instruments for minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery
- 3x more fusion surface area compared to standard methods1
- Zero-prep, integrated delivery of precision-shaped biologic
- OsteoStrand™ Plus fibers with patented Accell™ Technology for both immediate and sustained release of growth factors4
Locate
Seamless integration with 7D FLASH Navigation
Real-time tool projection provides a geometric representation of the Lumbar Inserter to help target the facet joints
Decorticate
The navigated Lumbar Inserter guides the Facet Drill during decortication
- Inserter forks center cannula on the joint line
- Enables equal decortication of superior and inferior facets
- Drill creates a contained defect within the inserter forks
- Inserter designed to control drill depth
Fuse
FLASH Facet Pellets contain Accell Technology for immediate and sustained release of growth factors4
Post-op CT shows centered decortication
Fusion identified in the facet joint by CT at 10 months
Resources
Interested in robust posterior cervical fusion? Is minimally invasive posterior lumbar fusion a challenge? Connect with your local Sales Manager to find out how these solutions fit into your posterior fusion workflows.
For surgeons performing cervical procedures, find more on NorthStar Facet Fusion here.
For surgeons navigating their lumbar procedures, find more on FLASH Facet Fusion here.
For healthcare professionals only. For indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, potential adverse effects, and patient counseling information, see the Instructions for Use or contact your local representative. Visit orthofix.com for additional product information. © 2025 Orthofix.
- Data on file
- Mundis, G. et al. Preliminary experience with a novel facet-based lateral mass drill guide for the placement of lateral mass screws compared to freehand technique: a cadaveric study. The Spine Journal. 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.01.015
- Olsson, E. (2023). The Achievement of Early Bony Fusion after use of the OsteoStrand™ Family Fibers in Single and Multi-level Anterior discectomy and Fusion: A Case Series. Orthofix White Paper
- Clinical case data summary
- Khaliq S, Lollis R, Bell D, Oliver R, Walsh WR, Ingram R. Evaluation of a Next-Generation DBM Putty in a Posterolateral Spinal Fusion Model. SeaSpine Orthopedics Corporation White Paper (2016).