Fusing Adult Degenerative Deformities of the Lumbar Spine

Adult degenerative deformities of the lumbar spine can present with a myriad of radiographic and clinical characteristics. Growing evidence suggests that the pain and disability emanating from the musculoskeletal degeneration of the spine and the resulting neural compression (ie, stenosis) can be successfully treated with surgery in properly selected patients. In addition to the often difficult decision to proceed with surgical treatment, the surgical instrumentation and fusion of adult lumbar deformities involve complex decision making and surgical planning. Important and potentially controversial decisions include the selection of fusion levels as well as the selection of surgical approaches, correction techniques, and the use of osteotomies.