Clinical and radiologic evaluation of the IntraSPINE non-fusion technique for lumbar degenerative disease.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the non-fusion IntraSPINE technique with patients receiving traditional lumbar fusion.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on patients with lumbar degenerative disease who failed to respond to conservative treatment. Clinical and radiologic evaluations were performed preoperatively and at 7 days, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Radiographic parameters included range of motion (ROM), posterior disc height (PDH), and foraminal height (FH) at the treated and adjacent segments.

RESULTS

Both groups demonstrated significant postoperative improvements in VAS, JOA, and ODI scores. However, the fusion group demonstrated complete loss of motion at the treated segment and increased motion at adjacent segments. In contrast, the non-fusion group retained partial ROM at the treated segment while maintaining adjacent segment motion close to preoperative levels. PDH and FH remained stable in the non-fusion group, whereas the fusion group experienced significant reductions in these measures at the adjacent segments.

CONCLUSION

The IntraSPINE non-fusion technique yields clinical outcomes comparable to those of lumbar fusion, while preserving ROM, PDH, and FH in both the treated and adjacent segments. This preservation may reduce the risk of adjacent segment degeneration, supporting the use of IntraSPINE as a viable alternative to traditional fusion surgery.