The lumbar instability is a common desease in clinical practice. Several authors recommend the use of pedicular screws as a fixation system for posterior arthodesis since they provide better results compared to in situ stabilization. Objective: to evaluate the functional and radiographic results in patients assisted by the Spine Group of the Medical Sciences School of Santa Casa of São Paulo, presenting lumbar instability and who underwent posterior vertebral arthrodesis treatment by using melttalic fixation with pedicular screws. METHODS: Data from medical records of the Service of Medical Files (S.A.M.E) of the Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo and evaluation through single radiographs (front, lateral, and oblique sections) for image studies besides a pre- and postoperative functional evaluation, with minimal follow-up of two years. RESULTS: From November 1995 to June 2000 ten patients with degenerative lumbar unstableness (48%), five patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis (23%) and six with degenerative lumbar stenosis (29%) were evaluated. As for functional evaluation, excellent and good results were obtained in 76%. Complications included superficial infection, pseudoarthrosis, and inappropriate positioning of screws (19%). CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that this fixation method is effective with arthrodesis fusion seen in 95% of patients.
Lumbosacral region; joint instability; bone screws
