OBJECTIVE: Using a new concept of dynamic stability instead of conventional fusion, in order to reproduce the results so far achieved by several services in Brazil and worldwide. METHODS: We evaluated 30 patients undergoing dynamic fixation of the lumbar spine. Nineteen were men and 11 women with a mean age of 40.11 years (22-56), nine of them needed two adjacent levels of stabilization (L4-L5 and L5-S1). The diseases being treated were disc protrusion in 8 cases, discopathy in 16 cases and degenerative spinal stenosis in 6 cases. Follow-up was done on an outpatient basis, ranging from 8 to 13 months, with an average of 12.3, using clinical parameters, analogue pain scale and Oswestry, and ratings given by patients for satisfaction with the procedure, improvement of quality of life and return to work activities. RESULTS: The percentage of patients who achieved full return to work activities was 76.6% (21 patients) in the first three months, the others had returned to work until the middle of the fifth month. There was significant improvement in low back pain demonstrated by the decrease of VAS (Preoperative: 8.6 and 12 months; postoperative: 1.8). Regarding quality of life there was significant improvement observed by the reduced scoreof Oswestry (preoperative: 68,6 e 12 months; postoperative: 22.5). All patients returned to work after six months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, the dynamic system has proven to be effective in the treatment of diseases to which it is intended.
Spine; Intervertebral disc; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Arthodesis