Comparison of surgical and conservative treatment for degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Introduction: Demographic changes create an expansion of the elderly population segment of society. Demands of mobility and quality of life have increased in this age group over the last decades. A rising number of elderly patients suffering from degenerative "de novo" lumbar scoliosis (DLS) may be eligible for surgical options to treat their spinal deformities.

Distractible vertebral body replacement in patients with malignant vertebral destruction or osteoporotic burst fractures.

We studied prospectively the clinical and radiological course of 36 patients with localised spinal instability treated with vertebrectomy. A distractible titanium cage filled with polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) in combination with transpedicular fixation was used to restore spinal stability. Mean follow-up was 16 (8-55) months.