Instrumented Lumbar Fusion for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Instrumented fusion appears to improve fusion rates but has not consistently improved patient satisfaction or outcome. Additionally, rigid instrumentation added to a fusion increases the incidence of adjacent segment disease and decreases the time interval when it becomes symptomatic.
Instrumented fusion should be reserved for patients at risk for a progressive deformity such as patients with excessive motion on preoperative radiographs, a documented progressive slip, and those requiring discectomy or aggressive facetectomy as part of the decompression.
What is Instrumented Lumbar Fusion
The joining of 2 bones in the spine using screws, rods or cages to prevent instability and pain
What is Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
The slip of one spinal bone over another one below caused by damage to disc or facet joints