Fusion Complications
A 54-year-old woman presents with persistent axial low back pain 18 months after L4-L5 posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Her pain initially improved but gradually returned at 9 months postoperatively. Flexion-extension radiographs show motion at the fusion level. CT demonstrates absence of continuous trabecular bridging and a lucent line through the interbody graft. Regarding pseudarthrosis after spinal fusion:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
Pseudarthrosis is defined as failure to achieve solid bony fusion at 1 year postoperatively; risk fa...
Clinical presentation includes recurrent or persistent pain after initial improvement, pain with loa...
Smoking has no effect on fusion rates; diabetes improves healing; pseudarthrosis typically presents ...
Diagnosis involves flexion-extension radiographs (motion greater than 3-5 degrees indicates nonunion...
Treatment of symptomatic pseudarthrosis involves revision surgery with exploration, decortication, f...
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Click T (True) or F (False) for each option