Magnetic resonance imaging 20 years after anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Study Design: A 20-year magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional outcome follow-up study was performed on patients who had undergone anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study are to determine whether or not degeneration is related to adjacent level fusion and the clinical significance of this degeneration.

Summary Of Background Data: There are concerns that lumbar fusion leads to increase stress at the adjacent levels.