ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to evaluate the degeneration of facets in unfused segments immobilized by Harrington rods and Hartshill rectangle plate fixation and to see how often back pain develop after treatment with this method. A total of 58 patients with thoracolumbar fractures were treated with long-fix and short fuse technique. Harrington rods and Hartshill plates are removed an average of 18 months after initial surgery. Every case showed solid fusion during implant removed exploration. All cases were followed for a minimum of 5 years. radiological studies were performed to evaluate the degeneration of the facet joints. Back pain was found in 22 patients [38%] the degeneration of infused facets was visualized in 12 patients [2%] by roentgenograms. Increased activity in the instrumented spine by bone scan examination also was noted in [24] patients: six cases [10%] were at infused area, 2 at fused area and 7% at fused and infused areas. In conclusion degeneration in the immobilized and infused segments after long fix and short fuse was rarely seen clinically after long-term follow-up. Back pain was experienced in only [38%] of the patients that seldom required treatment