Preliminary evaluation of posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization in lumbar degenerative disease in Chinese patients

Background There has been some controversy related to the use of the Wallis system, rather than disc fusion in the treatment of patients with degenerative spine disease. Furthermore, there are no reports concerning the application of this dynamic stabilization system in Chinese patients, who have a slightly different lifestyle with Western patients. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the dynamic stabilization system in the treatment of degenerative spinal diseases in Chinese patients. Methods The clinical outcomes of 20 patients with lumbar degenerative disease treated by posterior decompression with the Wallis posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization implant were studied. All of the patients completed the visual analogue scale and the Chinese version of the Oswestry Disability Index. The following radiologic parameters were measured in all patients: global lordotic angles and segmental lordotic angles (stabilized segments, above and below adjacent segments). The range of motion was then calculated. Results Nineteen patients (95%) were available for follow-up. The mean follow-up period was (27.25 +/- 5.16) months (range 16-35 months). The visual analogue scale decreased from 8.55 +/- 1.21 to 2.20 +/- 1.70 (P <0.001), and the mean score on the Chinese version of the Oswestry Disability Index was improved from 79.58% +/- 15.93% to 22.17% +/- 17.24% (P <0.001). No significant changes were seen in the range of motion at the stabilized segments (P=0.502) and adjacent segments (above, P=0.453; below, P=0.062). The good to excellent result was 94.4% at the latest follow-up. No complications related to the use of the Wallis posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization occurred. Conclusions It was found to be both easy and safe to use the Wallis posterior dynamic lumbar stabilization implant in the treatment of degenerative lumbar disease, and the early therapeutic effectiveness is good. The Wallis system provides an alternative method for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. Chin Med J 2012;125(2):253-256