To study the usefulness of posterior fusion using pedicle screws, 32 patients (average age at surgery 37.2 years, average follow-up 29 months) with lumbar disc degenerative disease except olisthesis, lysis, and spinal canal stenosis were reviewed.
All patients were divided into 4 groups: 14 with neural compression (NC) without previous lumbar surgery (PLS) (Group 1), 5 with no NC without PLS (Group 2), 9 with NC with PLS (Group 3), 4 with no NC with PLS (Group 4). JOA score and reinstatement for physical work were evaluated in these groups. The recovery rate of low back pain score ranged from 50% to 66%. The recovery rate of leg symptom score was higher in Group 1 than in Group 3 and Group 4. 14 out of 17 patients (82%) who had physical work returned to the same work afterr operation: the reinstatement rate was 100% in Group 1 and Group 3, 60% in Group 2, and 50% in Group 4.
The height of the disc adjacent to fusion and loadotic angle of fusion area were analyzed in lateral radiographs to compare PLIF with PLF. There were no significant differences between the 2 procedures. More than 5mm of loadosis was lost at follow-up in 2 out of 4 patients who had underwent two-level PLF.
