Abstract |
A traditional teaching in orthopaedic surgery has been that, in cases of fusion for L4-5 discopathy or instability, one must include the lumbosacral joint. There is nothing in the literature to support this time-honored dictum. The senior author, among others, has rejected this concept; and, the authors are, therefore, in a position to present a 32-year experience with segmental or "floating" fusion. Two hundred six floating fusions were performed, of which 184 were available for follow-up. Of these, 83.7% achieved "Excellent" or "Good" results; 15.2% were rated "Fair"; and 2% were rated "Poor." Only five patients (2.7%) had subsequent disc herniation at the lumbosacral level necessitating discectomy and extension of fusion to incorporate the sacrum.
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Authors | A E Brodsky, R L Hendricks, M A Khalil, B V Darden, T T Brotzman |
Journal | Spine
(Spine (Phila Pa 1976))
Vol. 14
Issue 4
Pg. 447-50
(Apr 1989)
ISSN: 0362-2436 [Print] United States |
PMID | 2718050
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Intervertebral Disc Displacement
(surgery)
- Lumbar Vertebrae
(diagnostic imaging, surgery)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Radiography
- Spinal Fusion
(methods)
- Spinal Stenosis
(surgery)
- Time Factors
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