Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Feb 1986
Case ReportsSegmental spine plates with pedicle screw fixation. A new internal fixation device for disorders of the lumbar and thoracolumbar spine.
A new segmental spine plate fixation system, utilizing a posterior approach and screw fixation, has been developed for disorders of the lower thoracic or lumbar spine. The indications are significant instability and severe pain relieved by immobilization. ⋯ The spine plates can be contoured for anatomic positioning, reduction, and rigid stabilization to enhance graft consolidation and fusion. The surgical fixation technique is demonstrated in five case presentations illustrating the application and versatility of the method.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Feb 1986
Follow-up study of medial facetectomies and posterolateral fusion with instrumentation in unstable degenerative spondylolisthesis.
From 1978 to 1983, 54 consecutive patients with unstable degenerative spondylolisthesis were treated by medial facetectomies and posterolateral fusion with combined distraction and compression rod instrumentation. The average period of follow-up observation was 30 months. Twenty-five patients had a combination of disc herniation or instability, excluding olisthesis. ⋯ Difference between the values of %-slip and slip-angle before surgery and those at follow-up examination was not statistically significant. Rod breakage occurred in two patients with pseudarthrosis. The overall clinical results were satisfactory relief of clinical symptoms and regression of physical signs, with a high rate of solid fusion.