Fukuoka igaku zasshi = Hukuoka acta medica
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Fukuoka Igaku Zasshi · May 2008
Case ReportsDegenerative change in the adjacent segments to the fusion site after posterolateral lumbar fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation--a minimum 4-year follow-up.
Controversy remains regarding the subsequent degeneration of adjacent segments, and little reliable information could be found in the literature regarding long-term clinical results and adjacent segment degeneration. The objective of this study is to investigate the degenerative change of adjacent segments to the fusion site and clinical outcome after posterolateral lumbar fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation and identify the risk factors in degenerative change at adjacent segments. ⋯ The rate of radiographic degeneration at the adjacent segments was 46.8%. No significant correlation was found between degenerative change in the adjacent segments and the clinical results. We could not identify any preoperative radiographic factors which might have influenced the segments adjacent to the fusion.