Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with cages and local bone graft in the treatment of spinal stenosis.

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) implants are increasingly being used for 360 degrees fusion after decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis combined with degenerative instability. Both titanium and PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone) implants are commonly used. Assessing the clinical and radiological results as well as typical complications, such as migration of the cages, is important.

A prospective morphological study of facet joint integrity following intervertebral disc replacement with the CHARITE Artificial Disc.

In degenerative disc disease (DDD), increased loading in the posterior column increases facet joint subchondral bone density and may lead to facet joint degeneration. While spinal fusion is commonly used to treat patients with symptomatic DDD, increased stress at the levels adjacent to fusion may accelerate facet joint and adjacent segment degeneration. Artificial disc replacements have been developed as an alternative to fusion.

Operative treatment for degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis.

The authors have made a retrospective study of a cohort of patients who underwent surgery for spinal stenosis. A total of 85 patients were surgically treated for spinal stenosis between 1993 and 1997, and 79 patients were available for re-evaluation. The average time of follow-up was 79 months.

Medial ankle instability: an exploratory, prospective study of fifty-two cases.

Background: Very little objective data are available regarding medial ankle instability.

Hypothesis: Several structures contribute to the stabilization of the medial ankle, and, in the case of injury, they are not involved in a uniform way.

Study Design: Explorative, prospective case series.