Lumbar spinal mobility after short anterior interbody fusion.
METHODS
Segmental deformations of the lumbar spine in asymptomatic volunteers measured radiologically were compared with those in patients who underwent anterior interbody fusion.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of anterior lumbar interbody fusion on the juxta-fused segments.


BACKGROUND
Stiffness of a spinal segment after fusion was thought to be the cause of the degeneration process at the juxta-fused segments.


METHODS
Segmental deformations of the lumbar spine, from maximum extension to maximum flexion, in 30 asymptomatic volunteers and 52 pain-free patients who had single-level L4-L5 or double-level L4-S1 fusion were measured and compared.


RESULTS
The total flexibility of the lumbar spine was decreased after a single-level fusion and further decreased after double-level fusions. The segmental deformations of the juxta-fused segments also were decreased after either a single- or double-level fusion.


CONCLUSIONS
During normal flexion and extension of the lumbar spine, the juxta-fused segments were not deformed beyond their physiological limits after fusion. Thus, accelerated degeneration observed at a juxta-fused segment is unlikely to be attributable to hypermobility.
Luk
K D
KD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Hong Kong.
Chow
D H
DH
Evans
J H
JH
Leong
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013997:Time Factors