Introduction A condition characterized by lumbar spondylolithesis without a defect in the pars absent of pars defect differentiates from adult isthmic spondylolithesis Epidemiology prevalence ~5% in men ~9% in woman demographics more common in African Americans, diabetics, and woman over 40 years of age ~8 times more common in woman than men increase in prevalence in women postulated to be due to increased ligamentous laxity related to hormonal changes location degenerative spondylolithesis is 5-fold more common at L4/5 than other levels this is different that isthmic spondylolithesis which is most commonly seen at L5/S1 risk factors sacralization of L5 (transitional L5 vertebrae) sagittally oriented facet joints Pathoanatomy forward subluxation (intersegmental instability) of vertebral body is allowed by facet joint degeneration facet joint sagittal orientation intervertebral disc degeneration ligamentous laxity (possibly from hormonal changes) degenerative cascade involves disc degeneration leads to facet capsule degeneration and instability microinstability which leads to further degeneration and eventual macroinstability and anterolithesis instability is worsening with sagittally oriented facets (congenital) that allow forward subluxation neurologic symptoms caused by central and lateral recess stenosis a degenerative slip at L4/5 will affect the descending L5 nerve root in the lateral recess caused by slippage, hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum, and encroachment into the spinal canal of osteophytes from facet arthrosis foraminal stenosis a degenerative slip at L4/5 will affect the L4 nerve root as it is compressed in the foramen vertical foraminal stenosis (loss of height of foramen) caused by loss of disk height osteophytes from posterolateral corner of vertebral body pushing the nerve root up against the inferior surface of the pedicle anteroposterior foraminal stenosis (loss of anterior to posterior area) caused by degenerative changes of the superior articular facet and posterior vertebral body Classification Myerding Classification Grade I < 25% Grade II 25 to 50% Grade III 50 to 75% (Grade III and greater are rare in degenerative spondylolithesis) Grade IV 75 to 100% Grade V Spondyloptosis (all the way off) Presentation Symptoms mechanical/ back pain most common presenting symptom usually relieved with rest and sitting neurogenic claudication & leg pain second most common symptoms defined as buttock and leg pain/discomfort caused by upright walking relieved by sitting not relieved by standing in one place (as is vascular claudication) may be unilateral or bilateral same symptoms found with spinal stenosis cauda equina syndrome (very rare) Physical exam L4 nerve root involvement (compressed in foramen with L4/5 DS) weakness to quadriceps best seen with sit to stand exam maneuver weakness to ankle dorsiflexion (cross over with L5) best seen with heel-walk exam maneuver decreased patellar reflex L5 nerve root involvement weakness to ankle dorsiflexion (cross over with L4) best seen with heel-walk exam maneuver weakness to EHL (great toe extension) weakness to gluteus medius (hip abduction) provocative walking test have patient walk prolonged distance until onset of buttock and leg pain have patient stop but remain standing upright if pain resolves this is consistent with vascular claudication have patient sit if pain resolves this is consistent with neurogenic claudication (DS) hamstring tightness commonly found in this patients, and must differentiate this from neurogenic leg pain Imaging Radiographs recommended views weight bearing lumbar AP, lateral neutral, lateral flexion, lateral extension findings slip evident on lateral xray flexion-extension studies instability defined as 4 mm of translation or 10° of angulation of motion compared to adjacent motion segment MRI indications persistent leg pain that has failed nonoperative modalities best study to evaluate impingement of neural elements views T2 weighted sagittal and axial images best to look for compression of neurologic elements CT useful to identify bony pathology CT myelogram helpful in patients in which a MRI is contraindicated (pacemaker) Treatment Nonoperative physical therapy and NSAIDS indications most patients can be treated nonoperatively modalities include activity restriction NSAIDS PT epidural steroid injections indications second line of treatment if non-invasive methods fail Operative lumbar wide decompression with instrumented fusion indications most common is persistent and incapacitating pain that has failed 6 mos. of nonoperative management and epidural steroid injections progressive motor deficit cauda equina syndrome outcomes ~79% have satisfactory outcomes improved fusion rates shown with pedicle screws improved outcomes with successful arthrodesis worse outcomes found in smokers posterior lumbar decompression alone indications usually not indicated due to instability associated with spondylolithesis only indicated in medically frail patients who cannot tolerate the increased surgical time of performing a fusion outcomes ~69% treated with decompression alone are satisfied ~ 31% have progressive instability anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) indications reserved for revision cases with pseudoarthrosis outcomes injury to superior hypogastric plexus can cause retrograde ejaculation Surgical Techniques Posterior decompression and posterolateral fusion (+/- instrumentation) approach posterior midline approach multiple parasagittal incisions for minimally invasive approaches decompression usually done with laminectomy, wide decompression, and foraminotomy fusion posterolateral fusion with instrumentation most common TLIF/PLIF growing in popularity and may increase fusion rates and decrease risk of postoperative slip progression reduction of listhesis limited role in adults cost in degenerative spondylolisthesis adding an interbody cage increases hospital costs without increasing fusion rates Complications Pseudoarthrosis (5-30%) CT scan is more reliable than MRI for identifying failed arthrodesis Adjacent segment disease (2-3%) risk of adjacent segment degeneration requiring surgery is about 20-29% at 10 years Surgical site infection (0.1-2%) treat with irrigation and debridement (usually hardware can be retained) Dural tear Positioning neuropathy LFCN seen with prone positioning due to iliac bolster ulnar nerve or brachial plexopathy from prone positioning with inappropriate position Complication rates increase with older age increased intraoperative blood loss longer operative time number of levels fused
Technique Guide Technique guide are not considered high yield topics for orthopaedic standardized exams including the ABOS, EBOT and RC. Posterior Laminectomy and Instrumented Fusion Andrew Hsu Spine - Adult Isthmic Spondylolisthesis Technique Guide CPT Codes: 63047 Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s], [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), single vertebral segment; lumbar Technique guide are not considered high yield topics for orthopaedic standardized exams including the ABOS, EBOT and RC. Single Level Lumbar Decompression and Fusion (TLIF) Orthobullets Team Spine - Adult Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
QUESTIONS 1 of 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Previous Next Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (OBQ13.7) A 70-year-old woman is seen back in follow-up in your clinic with persistent shooting pains down the back of her legs, which have been increasing over the last nine months. She can walk for about 3 minutes before the pain becomes unbearable. It is relieved only when she sits down or bends forward. Her neurological exam demonstrates difficulty with heel-walking and normal patellar tendon reflexes bilaterally. Pedal pulses are present. Figures A and B show a lateral x-ray and a sagittal MRI of her lumbar spine. She has failed all previous conservative management and would like to proceed with surgery. What is the most appropriate treatment? Review Topic QID: 4642 FIGURES: A B Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Vascular surgery consult 1% (36/4139) 2 Anterior lumbar interbody fusion 7% (286/4139) 3 Laminectomy only 1% (32/4139) 4 Laminectomy and instrumented fusion 90% (3723/4139) 5 Laminectomy and uninstrumented fusion 1% (36/4139) L 1 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 4 You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (OBQ13.111) A 44-year-old male presents with pain in the posterior aspect of his left thigh after walking more than 20 feet. Figures A demonstrates an upright lateral lumbar spine radiograph. There is 3mm of translation on flexion and extension radiography. Figure B is a sagittal MRI image and Figure C is an axial image through L4/5. He has failed non-operative treatment and elects to undergo surgery. Assuming he undergoes the appropriate surgery, which of the following places him at the highest risk for adjacent segment disease requiring future surgery? Review Topic QID: 4746 FIGURES: A B C Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Undergoing a laminectomy at the cranial adjacent level 45% (1840/4113) 2 Undergoing a one level fusion 27% (1122/4113) 3 Degenerative spondylolisthesis 13% (516/4113) 4 Obesity 6% (233/4113) 5 Circumfrential fusion 9% (377/4113) L 5 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 1 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (SBQ12SP.9) A 62-year-old male underwent posterior spinal instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolithesis one year ago. He presents to office complaining of persistent lower back pain. The pain initially improved but over the last 6 months he has had recurring pain at the site of the surgery primarily with activity. He denies back pain at rest or night pain. Physical examination reveals a well healed wound and no physical abnormalities. He has no tenderness to palpation to the thoracic or lumbar spine. He has no neurological deficits. His laboratory results show an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) = 8 mm/h and C-reactive protein (CRP) = 3 mg/L at the last visit which are both within normal limits. Figure A shows a series of radiographs from his pre-operative, 3 month post-operative and 1 year post-operative clinic visits, respectively. Which of the following investigations would best confirm the suspected underlying diagnosis? Review Topic QID: 3707 FIGURES: A Type & Select Correct Answer 1 MRI of lumbar spine 10% (216/2217) 2 Repeat ESR/CRP and whole body bone scan 2% (48/2217) 3 CT of lumbar spine 60% (1327/2217) 4 Dynamic flexion/extension plain film radiographs 27% (599/2217) 5 Dynamic lateral bending plain film radiographs 0% (8/2217) L 4 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 3 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (SBQ12SP.4) A 65-year-old male presents for postoperative follow up after undergoing spinal surgery. His preoperative and postoperative radiographs are shown in Figure A and B respectively. His past medical history is significant for osteoarthritis, hypertension, and smoking 1.5 packs per day for greater than 35 years. Which variable in this patient’s history has been reported to be associated with lower functional outcomes after this surgery? Review Topic QID: 3702 FIGURES: A B Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Age > 60 years old 14% (747/5310) 2 Gender 1% (64/5310) 3 Hypertension 0% (16/5310) 4 Osteoarthritis 2% (84/5310) 5 Smoking 82% (4364/5310) L 2 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 5 You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (OBQ12.5) A 57-year-old woman with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus and arrythmias, requiring prior insertion of a pacemaker, presents with severe bilateral leg pain for 12 months. She reports the symptoms are worse with prolonged walking and improved with sitting. The severity of her symptoms has led her to exercise primary on a stationary bicycle, which she reports does not cause her symptoms. On physical exam she is neurologically intact in her lower extremities. She has an ABI of 0.95. A flexion and extension radiograph is performed and shown in Figure A. An axial CT myelogram at the L4/5 level is shown in Figure B. Extensive nonoperative treatment with therapy and epidural steroid injections have failed to provide any relief of her symptoms. What would be the most appropriate next step in treatment? Review Topic QID: 4365 FIGURES: A B Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Obtain magnetic resonance imaging 13% (573/4267) 2 Refer the patient to a vascular surgeon for treatment of peripheral vascular disease 4% (169/4267) 3 Proceed with a lumbar decompression 16% (699/4267) 4 Proceed with a lumbar decompression and instrumented fusion 63% (2680/4267) 5 Proceed with a lumbar decompression and uninstrumented fusion 2% (93/4267) L 3 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 4 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (OBQ11.37) A 71-year-old male presents with bilateral leg pain for the last two years. His pain is exacerbated when walking and is relieved when his sits or bends forward. He notes occasional periods where his legs feel weak, but motor examination reveals 5/5 motor strength throughout his bilateral lower extremities. He has diminished sensation on the medial aspect of his feet bilaterally. Management thus far has included NSAIDS with occasional narcotic usage, physical therapy, and two epidural steroid injections. Figure A shows a flexion radiograph, Figure B shows an extension radiograph, and Figures C and D show his current MRI scan. He feels his pain is substantially worse than it was one year ago. What is the most appropriate management at this time? Review Topic QID: 3460 FIGURES: A B C D Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Posterior L4-5 laminectomy, wide decompression, and foraminotomy 15% (353/2427) 2 Activity restriction 1% (18/2427) 3 Bilateral microdiscectomy 0% (11/2427) 4 Posterior L4-5 decompression with arthrodesis 82% (1997/2427) 5 L5-S1 decompression and uninstrumented fusion 1% (26/2427) L 2 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 4 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (OBQ10.143) A 59-year-old male presents with worsening bilateral buttock and leg pain that is worse with prolonged standing and improves with sitting. His symptoms have worsened to the point that it is now difficult for him to walk small distances. Physical exam shows weakness to EHL on the right. A magnetic resonance image is shown in Figure A. Nonsurgical management, including epidural corticosteroid injections, has failed to relieve the patient’s symptoms. What is the most appropriate next step in management? Review Topic QID: 3231 FIGURES: A Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Continued nonsurgical management 0% (12/2555) 2 Decompressive laminectomy alone 1% (24/2555) 3 Right side microdiskectomy 0% (11/2555) 4 Decompressive laminectomy with posterior instrumented fusion 92% (2349/2555) 5 Anterior lumbar interbody fusion 6% (146/2555) L 1 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 4 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (OBQ09.66) A 62-year-old female presents with one year of severe back and bilateral buttock pain. Her symptoms are worse with walking and improve with sitting. She now finds it difficult to walk even small distances, such as to her mailbox. Six months of nonoperative management including physical therapy, oral medications, and epidural corticosteroid injections have failed to provide lasting relief of her symptoms. Flexion and extension lateral radiographs are shown in Figures A and B. Sagittal and axial MRI images are shown in Figure C and D. What is the next most appropriate step in mangement? Review Topic QID: 2879 FIGURES: A B C D Type & Select Correct Answer 1 EMG to confirm a lumbar radiculopathy 2% (58/2339) 2 A far-lateral microdiskectomy on the left 1% (33/2339) 3 A lumbar total disc replacement 0% (8/2339) 4 Lumbar laminectomy with partial facetectomy and foraminotomy 9% (215/2339) 5 Lumbar laminectomy with partial facetectomy, foraminotomy, and instrumented posterior spinal fusion 86% (2011/2339) L 1 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 5 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (OBQ07.56) A 47-year-old male underwent L4-5 posterior lumbar decompression and fusion with instrumentation. At the six-week clinical visit he complains of pain in the region of his wound. On physical exam there is wound erythema but no exudate. Laboratory studies show an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 78 mm/h (normal up to 20 mm/h) and WBC count of 11,200/mm3 (normal 3,500 to 10,500/mm3). An MRI is perfomed and shows a fluid collection dorsal to the thecal sac. What is the most appropriate next step in management? Review Topic QID: 717 Type & Select Correct Answer 1 CT guided aspiration of the fluid collection and cultures 24% (606/2536) 2 Surgical debridement followed by delayed closure and retention of instrumentation 68% (1723/2536) 3 Surgical debridement followed by delayed closure and removal of instrumentation 4% (93/2536) 4 Parenteral Cephalexin for 10 days followed by repeart laboratory studies 2% (44/2536) 5 Broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks followed by repeart laboratory studies 2% (53/2536) L 2 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 2 You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (OBQ05.24) A 60-year-old male presents with severe low back pain and pain and numbness in his buttocks with prolonged standing. His pain improves with forward bending. Lateral radiographs with flexion and extension reveal L4/5 spondylolisthesis with mobility. MRI shows significant spinal stenosis. Six months of nonoperative management, including epidural corticosteroid injections has failed. The next step in treatment should consist of? Review Topic QID: 61 Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Lumbar disc arthroplasty 0% (5/1299) 2 Lumbar microdiskectomy 1% (12/1299) 3 Lumbar decompression and fusion 94% (1225/1299) 4 Lumbar decompression only 2% (31/1299) 5 Lumbar fusion only 2% (20/1299) L 1 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 3 You have 100% on this question. Just skip this one for now. Take This Question Anyway (OBQ04.16) In patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis undergoing posterolateral fusion, use of pedicle screws has been shown to confer which of the following effects? Review Topic QID: 127 Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Have no effect on the rate of pseudoarthosis 6% (136/2409) 2 Decrease the rate of pseudoarthrosis 86% (2060/2409) 3 Increase the level of postoperative pain at one year 1% (20/2409) 4 Increase patient satisfaction with the procedure 7% (175/2409) 5 Decrease the rate of postoperative infection 0% (8/2409) L 2 Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 2
All Videos (8) Podcasts (0) Login to View Community Videos Login to View Community Videos 2018 Orthopaedic Summit Evolving Techniques 75-Year-Old Male With Degenerative-Scoliosis, Neurogenic Claudication --How Much Is Too Much, How Far-Should We Go? - Gaetano J. Scuderi, MD (OSET 2018) Gaetano Scuderi Spine - Degenerative Spondylolisthesis 3 weeks ago 55 views Login to View Community Videos Login to View Community Videos 2018 Orthopaedic Summit Evolving Techniques Preoperative Planning in ASD: The Key to Clinical Success? - Paul J. Holman, MD (OSET 2-18) Spine - Degenerative Spondylolisthesis 3 weeks ago 40 views Login to View Community Videos Login to View Community Videos 2018 Orthopaedic Summit Evolving Techniques Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: The Best Fixation is an Open Fusion With Hardware Options - Collin B. Harris, MD (OSET 2018) Spine - Degenerative Spondylolisthesis 3 weeks ago 49 views Login to View Community Videos Login to View Community Videos 2018 Orthopaedic Summit Evolving Techniques Pro- I Know The Way! Minimally-Invasive Surgery with TLIF/PSF - Arthur L Jenkins III, MD (OSET 2018) Spine - Degenerative Spondylolisthesis 3 weeks ago 56 views Login to View Community Videos Login to View Community Videos 2018 Orthopaedic Summit Evolving Techniques You Are Wrong! Do It My Way ALIF, OLIF, XLIF Is The Answer - Michael W. Groff, MD (OSET 2018) Spine - Degenerative Spondylolisthesis 3 weeks ago 28 views 2018 Orthopaedic Summit Evolving Techniques 55-Year-Old Manual Laborer With L4-5 Degen Spondy: Save My Hardware Dollars Please!! Scott D. Boden, MD (OSET 2018) Spine - Degenerative Spondylolisthesis 3 weeks ago 247 views Login to View Community Videos Login to View Community Videos California Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting - 2018 What is New in Lumbar Spine Surgery - Dimitriy Kondrashov, MD (COA 2018, 8.1) Spine - Degenerative Spondylolisthesis 8/30/2018 547 views Login to View Community Videos Login to View Community Videos California Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting - 2017 Lateral Transpsoas Surgery Vinko Zlomislic, M.D. (COA 2017, 4.4) Vinko Zlomislic Spine - Degenerative Spondylolisthesis 4/12/2018 141 views See More See Less
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