title: Long-term follow-up evaluation of screw-and-graft fusion of the lumbar spine.
abstract: The long-term results of 134 screw-and-graft fusions of the lumbar spine for treatment of chronic low-back pain with or without acute sciatic nerve symptoms were observed for over 16 years. Clinically, the results were excellent or good in 80% of patients at a mean review interval of nine years. There were no differences in success rates between single-level L4/5 and lumbosacral fusion or two-level fusions. Ninety-seven percent of patients returned to their previous occupation within six months. Screw-and-graft fusion is recommended as an effective method of treatment in management of selected cases of intractable low back pain.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000601:surgery; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*