Additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis

Introduction: Interspinous devices are an alternative to instrumented fusion for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with radiological instability or deformity. The devices claim to improve clinical symptoms by indirect foraminal decompression with fewer complications and similar functiona...

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Main Authors: Josephin Cebulla, Lukas P. Staub, Thomas Barz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Brain and Spine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277252942401422X
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author Josephin Cebulla
Lukas P. Staub
Thomas Barz
author_facet Josephin Cebulla
Lukas P. Staub
Thomas Barz
author_sort Josephin Cebulla
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Interspinous devices are an alternative to instrumented fusion for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with radiological instability or deformity. The devices claim to improve clinical symptoms by indirect foraminal decompression with fewer complications and similar functional outcomes compared to conventional fusion techniques, and by avoiding a (further) deterioration of the anatomy of the spine while being less invasive than instrumented fusion. Research question: Do interspinous devices provide a benefit in combination with a decompression of degenerative LSS? Material and methods: In this observational study, 117 patients were treated by decompression surgery alone (n = 37), decompression plus instrumented spinal screw fixation and anterior cage support (n = 41) or decompression plus stabilisation with interspinous devices (n = 39). Pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, and spondylolisthesis were measured on X-ray scans before surgery, 3 and 12 months postoperative. The Oswestry Disability Index, back and leg pain were also assessed. Generalized Estimating Equation regression models were used to determine the relationship between the outcomes and treatment group over time. Results: After interspinous stabilisation surgery the mean pelvic tilt remained at 22.7°, and the difference between the pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) remained at 10.5°. In all three groups, the ODI decreased by 14–18 points (p<0.01), and the pain levels decreased by 2.6–3.2 points (p<0.01). Conclusion: We found no scientific evidence to support the use of interspinous devices. The sagittal profile could not be stabilised by this intervention, and no clinical advantage over decompression surgery alone was evident.
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spelling doaj-art-302d20b90a4e4528a6f905e7114eda272025-08-20T02:35:03ZengElsevierBrain and Spine2772-52942025-01-01510416610.1016/j.bas.2024.104166Additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosisJosephin Cebulla0Lukas P. Staub1Thomas Barz2Medical University of Greifswald, Department of Orthopaedics, Greifswald, Germany; Corresponding author. Medical University of Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch Street, 17475, Greifswald, Germany.Talus Research Consulting, Manly, AustraliaMedical University of Greifswald, Department of Orthopaedics, Greifswald, GermanyIntroduction: Interspinous devices are an alternative to instrumented fusion for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with radiological instability or deformity. The devices claim to improve clinical symptoms by indirect foraminal decompression with fewer complications and similar functional outcomes compared to conventional fusion techniques, and by avoiding a (further) deterioration of the anatomy of the spine while being less invasive than instrumented fusion. Research question: Do interspinous devices provide a benefit in combination with a decompression of degenerative LSS? Material and methods: In this observational study, 117 patients were treated by decompression surgery alone (n = 37), decompression plus instrumented spinal screw fixation and anterior cage support (n = 41) or decompression plus stabilisation with interspinous devices (n = 39). Pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, and spondylolisthesis were measured on X-ray scans before surgery, 3 and 12 months postoperative. The Oswestry Disability Index, back and leg pain were also assessed. Generalized Estimating Equation regression models were used to determine the relationship between the outcomes and treatment group over time. Results: After interspinous stabilisation surgery the mean pelvic tilt remained at 22.7°, and the difference between the pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) remained at 10.5°. In all three groups, the ODI decreased by 14–18 points (p<0.01), and the pain levels decreased by 2.6–3.2 points (p<0.01). Conclusion: We found no scientific evidence to support the use of interspinous devices. The sagittal profile could not be stabilised by this intervention, and no clinical advantage over decompression surgery alone was evident.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277252942401422XLow back painSpinal stenosisTreatment selectionDiagnostic imaging
spellingShingle Josephin Cebulla
Lukas P. Staub
Thomas Barz
Additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
Brain and Spine
Low back pain
Spinal stenosis
Treatment selection
Diagnostic imaging
title Additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
title_full Additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
title_fullStr Additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
title_full_unstemmed Additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
title_short Additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
title_sort additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
topic Low back pain
Spinal stenosis
Treatment selection
Diagnostic imaging
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277252942401422X
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