Graf Soft Fixation in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Instability: Preliminary Report

ABSTRACT

Although various kinds of spine stabilizing instruments have been developed over the past years, the subject is still controversial and contradictory reports are seen in the literature. Among such instruments, Graf instrument has attracted much interest because of the originality of the idea as a soft stabilizer. We have performed Graf instrumentation on 34 cases of degenerative lumbar spine diseases from September 1993 to March 1994, and after more than 3 months of postoperative follow-up, we conclude as follows: 1) Out of the 34 operated cases, the short term postoperative follow-up results for low back pain was excellent in 15 cases(44.1%), good in 5 cases(44.1%), fair in 3 cases(8.8%), and poor in 1 case(2.9%). 2) As a soft fixator developed on the basis of physiological mechanism, Graf instrumentation can avoid unwanted effects of hard fixation and is thought to be less destructive and more effective physiologically.