Orthopedic & Muscular System: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Clinical Follow-Up after Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Disease by Posterior Dynamic Stabilizing Technique

Rui Gu, Jian-Wu Zhao, Jian-Hui Zhao, Jia-Bei Liu and Yi-Fu Sun

Introduction: Technique of dynamic fixation for treatment of lumbar degenerative has been developed in avoidance of possible adjacent level degeneration. The dynamic rod, consists of titanium alloy cable cord and polyetheretherketone shell, of K-rod posterior dynamic rod system provides flexible feature that mobility preservation of instrumented level shall be achieved. Clinical research for the usage of K-rid system has not been reported with evidence-based support. This retrospective study was aimed to report clinical outcome of K-rod posterior dynamic rod system utilized for degenerative lumbar disease.

Methods: Fifty patients with lumbar degenerative disease ranged from L3 to S1 have been enrolled. Dynamic and hybrid (dynamic rod accompanied by rigid rod) fixations of K-rod system were adequately selected for patients after discectomies of diseased intervertebral discs. Clinical evaluations including Japanese Orthopedidc Association Scores (JOA), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Visualized Analogue Scale (VAS) have been conducted pre- and post-operatively.

Results: In the follow-up period (12-36 months, mean 26.4 months), great improvements in JOA, ODI, and VAS were respectively 73.34%, 37.18%, and 77.35% in dynamic fixation group, while those in hybrid fixation group were respectively 76.37%, 30.5%, and 71.68%, with no statistical difference between the two groups. Significantly reduced mobility has been observed in hybrid fixation group compared with its preoperative status.

Conclusions: Current follow-up report of K-rod posterior dynamic rod system represented acceptable clinical satisfactory. The preserved mobility of instrumented segment based on sufficient biomechanical stability can successfully achieve pain relief and functional restoration.