Degenerative spondylolisthesis: lumbar stenosis and instability.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis may manifest itself with different clinical pictures depending on the phase of the spondylotic disease. Based on pathophysiological criteria 24 patients affected with degenerative spondylolisthesis were divided into three groups: group I: those with spondylotic instability; group II: those with lumbar stenosis and current or potential segmental instability; group III: those with lumbar stenosis and naturally stabilized spondylolisthesis. Group I was treated by posterolateral fusion; group II by laminectomy, removal of the medial portion of the facets and posterolateral fusion; group III by laminectomy and removal of the medial portion of the facets. Long-term results were positive in 100% of the cases in group I, 90% in group II and 83% in group III, with no statistically significant differences between groups, because of the limited series of cases. The authors conclude that surgery for the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis must be based on age, symptoms, and the phase of the disease, and that when these indications suited to the clinical-radiographic picture are taken into account, good results may be obtained with different operations.     

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis

In adults, symptomatic scoliosis is usually a de novo primary degenerative deformity that develops in the fifth or sixth decade or an unrecognized or untreated idiopathic deformity with superimposed degeneration. The evaluation and treatment of adult scoliosis must focus on addressing patient symptoms while limiting the consequences of the treatment. The presence of neurological deficits, the flexibility of the deformity, the coronal and sagittal balance, and status of spinal segments outside of the main deformity are all important considerations when planning surgery. The complication rate of deformity surgery in adults is potentially high; but excellent functional outcome and patient satisfaction can occur with thorough preoperative patient education and meticulous surgical technique.     

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis

Recent work on degenerative lumbar curves has focused on stable deformities with entrapment syndrome secondary to spondylotic compression. A review of our local experience with degenerative lumbar curves shows that approximately half of the 14 cases have had a less typical radiographic presentation of short reciprocating lumbar curves thought to be on the basis of asymmetric intervertebral osteochondrosis. In these latter cases, marked spondylotic ridging and intervertebral buttressing were absent; therefore, major decompressive surgery on the residual posterior elements may increase instability and hasten further collapse. Although most patients have had good relief of radicular leg complaints with decompressive procedures, several patients had persistent low-back pain that appeared to have a mechanical basis. In those instances of potentially increased postoperative instability or persistent mechanical back complaints, consideration should be given to augmenting decompressive procedures with Harrington instrumentation and fusion for these painful collapsing lumbar spines.     

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis

The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of various surgical procedures for lumbar spinal stenosis. Operations were performed on 117 consecutive patients for lumbar spinal stenosis between 1987 and 1992. Pre- and intraoperative data were recorded in a standardized manner. Three treatment groups were distinguished: group I consisting of 39 patients submitted to undercutting decompression; group II, 51 patients, submitted to laminectomy and foraminal decompression alone; and group III, 27 patients, who underwent foraminal decompression and laminectomy with instrumented fusion. Eight years (5–10 years) after surgery a questionnaire was mailed to the patients containing the outcome scales according to Greenough and Fraser [6] and Turner et al. [22] together with questions about residual pain, necessity of treatment and satisfaction with the operative outcome. A total of 72 questionnaires (61.6%) gave enough information for analysis. After a mean follow-up of 8 years, walking capacity had increased significantly in all groups (P<0.001). Compared to preoperative values, pain had decreased significantly in all groups (P<0.01). In group I 36% had good-to-excellent outcomes, and 30.8% and 23.8% in groups II and III (P>0.05). Forty percent of group I patients were unsatisfied with the result, compared to 38.4% and 33.3% in the other groups (P>0.05). Overall, 25 of 72 patients (34.7%) had severe constant back and/or leg pain requiring daily administration of analgesics. We conclude that the long-term outcome of decompressive surgery of the lumbar spinal canal, without and with instrumented fusion, is less favourable than was previously reported. Received: 26 June 1998 / Accepted: 19 August 1998     

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar spine configuration

As life expectancy increases, degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) becomes a common health problem among the elderly. DLSS is usually caused by degenerative changes in bony and/or soft tissue elements. The poor correlation between radiological manifestations and the clinical picture emphasizes the fact that more studies are required to determine the natural course of this syndrome. Our aim was to reveal the association between lower lumbar spine configuration and DLSS. Two groups were studied: the first included 67 individuals with DLSS (mean age 66 ± 10) and the second 100 individuals (mean age 63.4 ± 13) without DLSS-related symptoms. Both groups underwent CT images (Philips Brilliance 64) and the following measurements were performed: a cross-section area of the dural sac, vertebral body dimensions (height, length and width), AP diameter of the bony spinal canal, lumbar lordosis and sacral slope angles. All measurements were taken at L3 to S1. Vertebral body lengths were significantly greater in the DLSS group at all levels compared to the control, whereas anterior vertebral body heights (L3, L4, L5) and middle vertebral heights (L3, L5) were significantly smaller in the LSS group. Lumbar lordosis, sacral slope and bony spinal canal were significantly smaller in the DLSS compared to the control. We conclude that the size and shape of vertebral bodies and canals significantly differed between the study groups. A tentative model is suggested to explain the association between these characteristics and the development of degenerative spinal stenosis.     

颈椎病发病学中的不稳定因素

[目的] 探讨退变性不稳在颈椎病发生中的意义。[方法] 随访216例颈肩痛和（或）神经根性痛患者，男143例，女73例。年龄29～4l岁，平均37．8岁。表现颈肩痛的患者173例，神经根征者28例，兼有神经根征、颈肩痛者15例。依据退变性颈椎不稳X线诊断标准：不稳定组82例，稳定组134例。全部患者采用物理疗法和（或）局部制动治疗。[结果] 随访2～7a，平均4．3a。不稳定组患者中4例出现不稳节段椎体后缘骨赘形成，3例出现椎间盘突出，6例出现椎体后缘骨赘形成伴椎间盘突出，3例出现不稳节段脊髓内T2高信号。稳定组中2例出现C4.5椎间盘突出，2例出现C5椎体后缘骨赘形成。不稳定组颈椎病发生率19．5l％明显高于稳定组2．99％，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。[结论] 颈椎退变性不稳定在颈椎病的发生、发展中起着重要作用，是颈椎病形成的原因之一。     

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis: evaluation and management

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis is a lateral deviation of the spine that typically develops after age 50 years. Clinical presentation varies, but the deformity frequently is associated with loss of lordosis, axial rotation, lateral listhesis, and spondylolisthesis. Although the etiology is unclear, degenerative scoliosis is associated with degenerative disk disease, facet incompetence, and hypertrophy of the ligamenta flava, typically leading to neurogenic claudication and back pain. Rarely, sagittal or coronal imbalance may develop. Indications for treatment include pain, progressive deformity, radiculopathy or myelopathy, and cosmetic deformity. Nonsurgical care focuses on patient education, exercise, and nonnarcotic medication. Surgical management should be considered carefully, balancing the benefits and risks for the patient.     

Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: trends in management

Degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis is common in elderly patients. When symptomatic, the resultant neurogenic claudication often leads to a diminished quality of life. A nonsurgical approach is an appropriate first step. Maximizing the chance of a solid arthrodesis improves the possibility of a successful long-term outcome. Treatment of this pathology has evolved over the past twenty years with the publication of numerous prospective randomized trials assessing the influence of fusion and instrumentation following decompression. Current prospective trials have evaluated the use of bone morphogenetic proteins as a substitute for autogenous bone graft. Recently, soft-tissue stabilization devices have been advocated as an alternative to fusion. Clinicians should critically evaluate these newer technologies and exercise caution regarding their use until controlled long-term trials are completed.     

Degenerative lumbar stenosis: the neurosurgical perspective

Degenerative lumbar stenosis is a complex entity caused by predictable patterns of degenerative pathoanatomy. Patients with spinal stenosis are treated by orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, who often have slightly different ideas regarding treatment strategies. However, data exist to support several recommendations, regarding fusion with or without instrumentation, surgical versus conservative treatment, and limitation of procedures to symptomatic levels. In the current study, the typical patterns of degenerative disease and surgical treatment and a view of the neurosurgical perspective of the treatment of patients with lumbar stenosis are presented.     

Biomechanics of lumbar instability

Summary Several authors have tried to define segmental lumbar instability. Their definitions: • increased antero-posterior translation, • pathologic coupled motion, • increased neutral zone, • pathologic instantaneuous center of rotation describe some mechanic findings occuring in the aging spine. However, there is no evidence that they help to differentiate the pathologic entity of segmental lumbar instability from the normal aging process. Dynamic explanation models are promising, but at the moment they cannot be used clinically for diagnosis of instability as well. The most important structure to maintain lumbar stability is the intervertebral disc. In the third and fourth decade, more than 50 percent of specimen show peripheral tears of the anulus. It was shown in animal experiments that these tears develop to radial tears, which are accompanied by nuclear volume loss and decreased height. The facets degenerate one or two decades later. Corresponding with the loss of discal function, they increasingly contribute to spinal stability. In conclusion, the concept of lumbar segmental instability is not very helpful in clinical practise. It is recommended to base the decision of lumbar fusion on a painful degenerated disc, and additional findings promising a good result.      

退行性腰椎滑脱治疗的循证医学进展

退行性腰椎滑脱是临床最常见的脊椎滑脱。目前关于退行性腰椎滑脱的治疗还存在诸多争议,包括手术还是非手术保守处理,腰椎融合还是非融合,以及开放还是微创术式等。本文结合近几年关于退行性腰椎滑脱治疗的研究进展,从循证医学证据的角度,就上述几个问题进行简要综述,以期为临床治疗提供循证医学依据。     

Degenerative lumbar stenosis: diagnosis and management.

Degenerative lumbar stenosis is a common cause of disabling back and lower extremity pain among older persons. The process usually begins with degeneration of the intervertebral disks and facet joints, resulting in narrowing of the spinal canal and neural foramina. Associated factors may include a developmentally narrow spinal canal and degenerative spinal instability. Nonoperative management includes restriction of aggravating activities, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. If nonoperative treatment has failed, surgical treatment may be appropriate. Decompression should be performed so as to address all clinically relevant neural elements while maintaining spinal stability. If instability is present, autogenous intertransverse bone grafting is recommended. There may be an advantage to augmenting some of these procedures with internal fixation. Surgical success rates as high as 85% have been reported, but may be compromised by inadequate decompression, inadequate stabilization, or medical comorbidities. Short-term follow-up data indicate that operative management provides more effective relief than nonoperative treatment, but prospective studies comparing the effects of nonoperative and operative interventions on the long-term natural history of lumbar spinal stenosis are needed.     

退变性腰椎滑脱与关节突关节的方向性

目的：探讨腰椎关节突关节的方向性在退性变腰椎滑脱发生中的病因学意义。方法：34例L4／5退变性腰椎滑脱患者及30名正常对照者的CT扫描片，侧位X线片上关节突关节的方向性及腰椎滑脱程度进行分析。结果：退变性腰椎滑脱患者的关节突关节方向与对照组比较更偏向吴矢状位（P＜0．01），关节突关节不对称程度也更为明显（P＜0．05），小关节椎弓根角更倾向于水平位（P＜0．01），关节突关节角，不对称程度及小关节椎弓根角与腰椎滑脱程度无显著相关性（P＞0．05）。结论：腰椎关节突关节的方向性在退变性腰椎滑脱的发生中可能有一定的病因学意义。     

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis associated with spinal stenosis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Degenerative de novo scoliosis is commonly present in older adult patients with spinal pain. The degenerative process including disc bulging, facet arthritis, and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy contributes to the appearance of symptoms of spinal stenosis in these patients. PURPOSE: The etiology, prevalence, biomechanics, classification, symptomatology, and treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis in association with spinal stenosis are reviewed. STUDY DESIGN: Review study. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of studies focused on all parameters concerning degenerative scoliosis associated with stenosis. RESULTS: There is a variety of treatment methods of degenerative scoliosis based on symptomatology and radiologic measurements of scoliosis and stenosis. Satisfactory clinical results reported in relevant retrospective studies after operative treatment range from 83% to 96% but with increased percentage of complications. An algorithm for operative treatment corresponding to a newly proposed classification system of degenerative lumbar scoliosis with associated canal stenosis is presented. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increasing prevalence of degenerative scoliosis in the aged population. Even though the exact percentage of patients with symptomatology of spinal stenosis is not known, the main goal is to provide pain relief and improved functional lifestyle with minimum intervention.     

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: evaluation and management

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis is caused by mechanical factors and/or biochemical alterations within the intervertebral disk that lead to disk space collapse, facet joint hypertrophy, soft-tissue infolding, and osteophyte formation, which narrows the space available for the thecal sac and exiting nerve roots. The clinical consequence of this compression is neurogenic claudication and varying degrees of leg and back pain. Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis is a major cause of pain and impaired quality of life in the elderly. The natural history of this condition varies; however, it has not been shown to worsen progressively. Nonsurgical management consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and epidural steroid injections. If nonsurgical management is unsuccessful and neurologic decline persists or progresses, surgical treatment, most commonly laminectomy, is indicated. Recent prospective randomized studies have demonstrated that surgery is superior to nonsurgical management in terms of controlling pain and improving function in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.     

Degenerative disorders of the lumbar and cervical spine

Degenerative disorders in the spine are normal, age-related phenomena and largely asymptomatic in most cases. Conservative management of lumbar and cervical spondylosis is the mainstay of treatment, and most patients with symptomatic degenerative changes respond appropriately with nonsurgical management. Surgical intervention can be considered an appropriate and viable option when conservative measures have failed. Treatment options should always be directed toward the specific nature and location of the patient's individual pathology. Although current standards in the surgical management of lumbar and cervical degenerative disorders include discectomy, neural decompression, and instrumented spinal arthrodesis, new approaches that address this often-challenging clinical entity are on the horizon.     

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis: features and surgical treatment

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis is a de novo deformity of the spine occurring after the fourth or fifth decade of life in patients with no history of scoliosis in the growing age. We evaluated complications and functional and radiographic outcomes of twelve patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis, treated by spinal decompression associated with posterolateral and/or interbody fusion. Mean lumbar scoliosis angle was 18° (SD=4°) and mean age at surgery was 57 years (SD=6 years). Average follow–up was 3.5 years. Surgical treatment consisted in decompression of one or more roots, associated with stabilization with pedicle screws and posterolateral fusion. To correct the deformity, the collapse of the disc was corrected by implanting a cage in the anterior interbody cage. Clinical symptoms and functional tolerance for daily activities improved after surgery. Radiographic evaluation showed a reduction in the deformity on the frontal and sagittal planes. There were no infections, evidence of pseudoarthrosis, instrumentrelated failures or re–operations in this series. In patients with persisting pain caused by degenerative scoliosis associated with spinal stenosis, in whom conservative treatment has failed, spinal decompression and segmented fusion with instrumentation represents a valid treatment option.     

腰椎不稳和腰椎滑脱的相关问题

<正>腰椎不稳或腰椎滑脱是导致腰腿痛的常见病因之一。然而在临床上,有关不稳和滑脱的界定、两者之间的关系、影像学诊断、治疗方案的合理选择、滑脱的复位等