Abstract: The invention includes screws configured to directly engage bones, with such screws including pores configured to receive bone structure grown from the bone to enhance union of the screw with the bone. The screws can be, for example, pedicle screws, and in some aspects can have bone-growth-stimulating material and/or bone cement within the pores. The invention also includes methods of attaching implants to skeletal regions. Such methods can include screwing a porous screw into the bone, allowing bone structure to grow from the bone into the porous screw, and subsequently fastening an implant to the porous screw.

Abstract: The invention includes skeletal support structures. The structures can be spinal plates (such as cervical plates), rods, hooks, vertebral spacers, vertebral structural replacement, or screws; and can be formed of aromatic polyamide material (such as para-aramid). The screws and/or hooks can contain pores configured to receive growing bone to enhance union of the screws and/or hooks with skeletal material. The invention also includes therapeutic constructions containing non-metallic structures attached to vertebrae through non-metallic fasteners.