Between November 1989 and October 1998, 20 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients over 65-years were treated with posterior decompression surgery. The mean age at surgery was 70.5 years (range, 65 to 80) and the length of follow-up was 26.7 months (range, 7 to 40). These patients were divided into three groups (without fusion, posterolateral fusion (PLF), and PLF and pedicular screw system).
The clinical scores were evaluated retrospectively with the Japanese Orthopedic Asssociation low back pain rating score (JOA score). The JOA score was 13.0 preoperatively and 22.4 postoperatively (rate of improvement: 61.1%) on average. Relatively good results were obtained in all groups. The best and consistent results in the group with PLF and pedicular screw system, the rate of improvement of which was over 50% in all cases.
