title: Graf ligament stabilisation: mid- to long-term follow-up.
abstract: Previous studies have looked at early follow-up of the Graf ligament stabilisation system. We present mid- to long-term results of this procedure. A retrospective review of Graf ligaments inserted since 1993 was undertaken. A total of 51 patients were reviewed. Pre-operative Oswestry Disability Index scores were compared to post-operative scores recorded via a postal questionnaire. There were 28 men and 23 women. The average age was 41 years (range, 2267 years). The mean pre-operative score was 46 (range, 22-78), the mean follow-up time was 51 months (range, 23-84 months) and the mean post-operative score was 40 (range, 0-82). There were 12 complications (4 requiring further surgery), and seven patients went on to require bony fusion procedures. Forty one per cent of the group would choose not to have the operation again. Longer-term results of this technique are not as encouraging as earlier studies. The continued use of this procedure should be viewed with caution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Princess Margret Hospital, Swindon, Wiltshire, England. rigbys.bg@virgin.net
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rigby
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Selmon
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Foy
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fogg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*