OVERLOAD STUDY ON ADJACENT DISC AFTER ARTHRODESIS IN THORACOLUMBAR FRACTURES

ESTUDO DE SOBRECARGA DO DISCO ADJACENTE APÓS ARTRODESE EM FRATURAS TORACOLOMBARES

ESTUDIO DE SOBRECARGA EN EL DISCO ADYACENTE DESPUÉS DE LA ARTRODESIS EN FRACTURAS TORACOLUMBARES

ABSTRACT

Objective:   To analyze the degeneration of the adjacent disc after arthrodesis due to thoracolumbar fractures.

Methods:   Eighty-three patients who underwent posterolateral arthrodesis in thoracolumbar levels had their x-rays analyzed for degeneration of adjacent discs to the arthrodesis. The disc spaces were classified by the UCLA scale.

Results:  Of the 83 patients evaluated, 66 were males (79%) and 18 females (21%), with a mean age of 35.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 40 months. As the fractures 75% were between T12 and L2 (p<0.001), being of the A3 type in 65% of the cases (p<0.001). The most common mechanism of injury, accounting for 50% of the cases (p<0.001), was fall from height. Only 6% of the superior discs and 12% of the inferior ones showed some degree of degeneration. No patient underwent a new surgical approach.

Conclusion:   The incidence of degeneration on adjacent disc in patients after arthrodesis resulting from fractures ranged from 6% to 12% with an average follow-up of 40 months.

Keywords: Spinal fractures; Spinal fusion; Lumbosacral region; Thoracic vertebrae; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Radiography.