Assessment of the correlation between open lumbar discectomy and stability of the lumbar Spine

ABSTRACT

We assessed the stability of lumbar spine in cases subjected to open lumbar discectomy. Operative interference was mainly at the level of L4-5 in 76 cases [84.4 percent]. All cases had subjected to clinical and radiological examination pre- and post-operative for a period of follow-up at least one year to detect post-operative sequel and instability. The results of this study proved that instability of lumbar spine post-operative was detected in 36 cases [40 percent]. It was found that there was a significant relation between sex and lumbar instability [more in males 52.1 percent] and a significant relationship between occupation and lumbar stability where instability was higher in manual workers [50 percent]. Also, there was a significant relation between the period of follow-up and instability. We concluded from this study that here is a significant relation between lumbar discectomy and instability, more in males and manual workers and with the length of the period of follow-up