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Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with metal cage improves patient quality of life
Placement of stand-alone metal cages in patients with recurrent sciatica due to repeated reherniation of the intervertebral disc helped improve various quality-of-life factors in those patients, according to a study.
Researchers retrospectively analyzed 26 patients with recurrent disc herniations treated with a stand-alone posterior lumbar interbody fusion with Trabecular Metal cages (Zimmer). The study’s primary aim was to evaluate results of the treatment at 12-month follow-up using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and VAS pain scores for leg and back pain.
After 1 year, mean VAS pain scores were 36.7 in the affected leg and 42.5 in the back; mean RMDQ was 9.8.
Overall, 12 (46%) patients were classified as having a good recovery. Eighteen patients (69%) were content or very content with the operation and said they would recommend the treatment to others, according to the researchers.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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Lequin MB. J Neurosurg Spine. 2014. doi:10.3171/2014.2.SPINE13548.