Spine
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This is a retrospective study of 42 patients having lumbar degenerative disease or spondylolytic spondylolisthesis treated by posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using local autogenous facet joint graft and pedicle screw fixation with an average follow-up time of 8.5 years. ⋯ For lumbar degenerative diseases with osteophytic changes of facet joints, PLIF using pedicle screw fixation and local autogenous bones obtained from facet excision may be justified as a treatment opinion. The procedure as described offers advantages for spinal surgery when PLIF is warranted.
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Secondary analysis of the 1998 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. ⋯ Health care expenditures for back pain in the United States in 1998 were substantial. The expenditures demonstrated wide variations among individuals with different clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics.