Effect of postoperative lumbar sagittal alignment on the development of adjacent instability.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effect of postoperative lumbar sagittal alignment on the development of adjacent segment instability.


METHODS
The patients were retrospectively divided into two groups (hypolordotic and hyperlordotic) using the lumbar lordosis on lateral lumbosacral view. Diagnosis of adjacent segment instability depended on the dynamic lateral views of the lumbosacral spine.


RESULTS
Thirteen (21.7%) cases developed adjacent segment instability during the 6-year follow-up. The two groups had no significant difference in rates of developing adjacent segment instability.


CONCLUSIONS
Restoring the lordosis of the lumbar curve during one motion segment fusion does not prevent the development of adjacent instability.
Lai
Po-Liang
PL
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. hardbone@yahoo.com
Chen
Lih-Huei
LH
Niu
Chi-Chien
CC
Chen
Wen-Jer
WJ
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000601:surgery; D013169:Spondylolysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control