Study Design : To assess the changes of the flexibilities and Graf's instability degrees(GID) after Graf soft stabilization on the instability of the low back disorders, revies the dynamic films before and after low back operation. And compare flexib...
Study Design : To assess the changes of the flexibilities and Graf's instability degrees(GID) after Graf soft stabilization on the instability of the low back disorders, revies the dynamic films before and after low back operation. And compare flexibilities and GID with clinical results(JOA Scores, etc).
Object : To determine whether GID has a clinical significance or not. These results should explain what kinds of patterns of segmental motions are developed in the course of the new adaptation, new dynamic stabilization, after the operation.
Methods : In the patients who treated their back problems with Graf system as a stabilization procedure, 15 patients(instabiliy 7, spondylolysis 4, spondylolisthesis 4) were selected. they have more biomechanical problems than neurological problems, and passed over I years after the operation. Check the flexibilities & GID with computer assisting system and make a comparative studies with JOA scores & patient's self evaluation scores before and after the operation.
Results : In the flexibility degrees, instability, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis show decreased flexibility, but increased JOA scores. In the GID, instability and spondylolysis show increased GID after the operation. These findings suggest the segmental displacementIangulation and translation) was developed in the course of the new adaptation. But spondylolisthesis show decreased GID in the course of the dynamic stabilization.
Conclusion : As a indicator of Graf system application and criteria of the prognosis after the operation. GID has not a clinical significance, but has a geometric advantages. Decreased flexibility is the one of the possible factors which improve the clinical symptoms, but it need multi-center clinical and biomechanical studies.