THE INFLUENCE OF FACET FUSION STRENGTH ON INSTRUMENTED SEGMENT RANGE OF MOTION

摘要

Spinal fusion surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures used to alleviate lower back pain. It is estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 spine fusion procedures performed each year in the United States [1]. There has been an increase of approximately 8% per year in the frequency of lumbar fusions in the United States since 1980 [2]. Spinal fusion is indicated for treatment of degenerative disk disease, degenerative joint disease, scoliosis, and isthmic and degenerative spondlylotisthesis when more conservative treatments have failed to achieve relief. There are a multitude of different techniques to create a fusion between vertebrae. Fusions are attempted in different locations of the spinal column including but not limited to anterior, interbody, posterolateral, and facet. Regardless of the way it is attempted a fusion is generally defined as solid bony union between adjacent vertebrae. Facet fusion can provide significant resistance to rotation as well as anterior-posterior shear forces. However, if significant facetetomy is required to achieve proper decompression the strength of the facet can become compromised and eliminate facet fusion from consideration.