Short-term functional evaluation of posterior lumbar interbody fusion done for degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4–L5 level

Abstract

Context: Low back pain due to degenerative spondylolisthesis in the elderly especially the rural Indian population involved in farming and agriculture hard work is a common and incapacitating problem. Aims: Degenerative spondylolisthesis of L4/L5 is commonly observed with associated disc degeneration leading to foraminal stenosis causing radiculopathy and neuroclaudication. Materials and Methods: We have evaluated a short-term prospective follow-up of 26 patients treated with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with titanium pedicular screws and cage for L4–L5 degenerative lumbar spondylolysthesis (DLS) for 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) criteria and MacNab's criteria. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test or McNemar's Chi-square test. Results: The rate of improvement as calculated from the JOA score improved from 8.34 preoperatively to 72.19 at 6 months postoperative after PLIF for DLS and also good to excellent results in 84.61% of cases according to MacNab's criteria. Conclusions: Hence, we conclude that PLIF for DLS significantly improves quality of life postoperatively because of relief of back pain and neurological symptoms.

Keywords

• degenerative
• neuroclaudication
• posterior lumbar fusion
• radiculopathy
• spondylolisthesis