title: Lumbar arthrodesis for degenerative conditions.
abstract: There is significant disagreement among spine surgeons regarding the optimal technique of arthrodesis for treatment of degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine. Degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine include degenerative disk "disease," post-decompression degeneration, degenerative spondylolisthesis, junctional degeneration, spondylolis, and low-grade lytic spondylolisthesis. Although it is impossible to develop strict evidence-based criteria for the selection of one surgical approach over another, some generalizations are possible based on empiric process, anecdotal experience, and published surgical series. Patient selection, cessation of nicotine use, and use of autologous bone graft are factors that influence clinical outcome after lumbar arthrodesis.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Glaser
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernhardt
authors.forename: Ernest M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Found
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: F Todd
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Wetzel
mesh_terms: D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome