Clinical Comparison between Decompression and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Chronic Lower Back Pain Involving Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Stenosis

Between January 1992 and December 1995, 23 patients with chronic lower back pain involving lumbar disc degeneration and spinal stenosis underwent decompression and posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Two groups of patients were studied, and clinical symptoms, neurological signs and clinical results were compared. With regard to mechanical back pain and clinical results, posterior lumbar interbody fusion was superior to decompression, but as regards leg pain and neurologic signs, the two groups were similar. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion was of considerable benefit to patients with chronic lower back pain.