title: Lumbar disc space heights after external fixation and anterior interbody fusion: a prospective 2-year follow-up of clinical and radiographic results.
abstract: Forty-two consecutive patients with severe spine problems were tested by temporary external fixation of the lower lumbar spine. Twenty-nine experienced marked relief of pain and were subjected to anterior interbody fusion. In 27 cases the scheduled clinical and radiographic 2-year follow-up could be completed. Disc height was measured on radiographs taken before the test, during the test with disc space distraction, after the anterior fusion, and 1 and 2 years postoperatively. The Oswestry disability score and the visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain were also recorded. The 2-year clinical results were judged excellent in nine cases, good in ten, fair in three, and poor in five. Ten patients had a nonunion. Mean disc space height increased with external fixation and anterior interbody fusion but returned to the preoperative level during follow-up. These changes in disc space height did not statistically correlate with the clinical results or the occurrence of nonunion. A statistically significantly better clinical outcome, however, was found in patients with solid fusion than in patients with nonunion.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Hospital of the Invalid Foundation, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016267:External Fixators; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*