2008 Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages 140-144
This study examined surgical outcomes in five lumbar spondylolysis patients treated by posterior lumbar fusion using pedicle screw and hook. Patients were evaluated pre- and post-operatively using Japan Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and lumbar pain score in JOA scores, and post-operatively using Hirabayashi recovery rate, bony fusion rates and activities of daily living. The average JOA scores improved from 17.6 points to 26.4 points, average lumbar pain from 1 point to 2.4 points, and the Hirabayashi recovery rate was 78.7%. Four of five patients returned to their pre-operative activity levels for sports and work. In one 28-year-old potient with L5 spondylolysis facet joint extension caused right buttock pain due to poor fitting of the facet joint at the lower level. We should therefore be careful to pull the hook down using forceps when using the pedicle and hook for posterior lumbar fusion.
