Range of motion at L4-5.

<p>Abbreviations: F, flexion; E, extension; LLB, left lateral bending; RLB, right lateral bending; LR, left rotation; RR, right rotation. USMAH, unilateral shape memory alloy hook; BSMAH, bilateral shape memory alloy hook; UPS, unilateral pedicle screws and rods; BPS, bilateral pedicle screws and rods. * significant difference vs. the intact spine (p<0.05). # significant difference vs. the BPS construct (p<0.05). + significant difference vs. the BSMAH construct (p<0.05).</p

Range of motion at L3-4.

<p>Abbreviations: F, flexion; E, extension; LLB, left lateral bending; RLB, right lateral bending; LR, left rotation; RR, right rotation. USMAH, unilateral shape memory alloy hook; BSMAH, bilateral shape memory alloy hook; UPS, unilateral pedicle screws and rods; BPS, bilateral pedicle screws and rods.</p

Range of motion at L5-S1.

<p>Abbreviations: F, flexion; E, extension; LLB, left lateral bending; RLB, right lateral bending; LR, left rotation; RR, right rotation. USMAH, unilateral shape memory alloy hook; BSMAH, bilateral shape memory alloy hook; UPS, unilateral pedicle screws and rods; BPS, bilateral pedicle screws and rods.</p

Surgical constructs.

<p>1. Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with unilateral shape memory alloy hook (USMAH) at L4-5; 2. TLIF with bilateral shape memory alloy hook (BSMAH) at L4-5; 3. TLIF with unilateral pedicle screws and rods (UPS) at L4-5; 4. TLIF with bilateral pedicle screws and rods (BPS) at L4-5.</p

45 mm Shape memory Alloy Hook (SMAH).

<p>Left, prototype; right, unfolded in ice and water mixture.</p