Use of Nitinol Rods in Surgical Treatment of Degenerative Scoliosis

Seventy two patients, aged 39 - 84 years, with degenerative lumbar scoliosis were operated on. In 30 patients (1 st group) nitinol rods 5.5 mm in diameter and standard transpedicular screws were used. In 20 patients fixation at L1 - S1 and in 10 patients at L1 - L5 level was performed. In presence of spinal canal stenosis additional decompression was performed. Spinal fusion was not performed. Forty two patients (2 nd group) were treated by standard methods using titanium rods in combination with lumbosacral spinal fusion. Out of them in 20 patients fixation at L1 - S1 and in 22 patients at L1 - L5 level was performed. Results were followed up in 1.5 years after intervention at minimum. Correction of the deformity in two groups was almost equal and averaged 25° (from 10° to 38°). No one case of implant instability, bone tissue resorption around the screws and adjacent level involvement was recorded. Functional X-rays showed 21° of lumbar spine mobility (from 15° to30°) at average. In 2 nd group mobility in fixed segment was absent; pseudarthrosis was diagnosed in 3 and proximal kyphosis - in 1 patient. Revision intervention was required in 2 cases.

degenerative scoliosis, nitinol rods, rigid fixation, dynamic fixation, spinal fusion