OBJECTIVE: Investigate the influence of the extent of posterolateral lumbosacral fusion and its impact on clinical and functional results. METHODS: We evaluated 22 patients with central or foraminal stenosis or lumbar disc herniation associated with segmental instability that underwent to surgery for nerve decompression and posterolateral arthrodesis. Patients were divided into two groups according to the number of levels fused: Group 1: fusion at one level and Group 2: fusion of two or more levels. Patients completed questionnaires regarding postoperative follow-up (use of analgesic medications and treatment satisfaction) and visual analog scale for lumbar pain and sciatica. Moreover, the questionnaires Oswestry and SF-36 were administered to assess quality of life. RESULTS: SF-36 showed good levels of quality of life in both groups, except the field "Physical Aspects". There was no significant correlation between the extent of the arthrodesis and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent posterolateral arthrodesis showed satisfactory quality of life, except for a decrease of physical fitness. However, the higher number of levels fused did not have negative impact on clinical and functional aspects.
Spine; Low back pain; Arthrodesis; Decompression surgical; Quality of life; Sciatica; Bone screws
