Soft Stabilization of the Lumbar Spine using the Graf System for Spinal Instability Syndromes and Pseudoarthrosis — 5 Years' Results.

There is considerable controversy in the diagnosis and management of lumbar spinal instability. Most clinicians agree that patients suffering from the chronic low back syndrome who have suspected instability and have not responded to conservative measures, should be considered for operative treatment with stabilization using rigid or semi-rigid systems to reduce or eliminate movement at the painful segment. The concept of soft stabilization was introduced by Henri Graf in 1988 and has become a routine procedure in various centres throughout the world for stabilization for clinical instability syndromes. The Graf system was introduced into Western Australia in October, 1991. The aim of this paper is to report the independently reviewed retrospective results of the first 25 patients with respect to clinical outcome and radiological features. The clinical outcomes were consistent with other reported treatment measures for the chronic low back pain syndrome. The radiological results do not show any evidence of implant loosening or breakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]