Spondylolisthesis, Lumbar Region

The Viper Prime/Expedium spine systems are intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in skeletally mature patients as an adjunct to fusion in the treatment of acute and chronic instabilities or deformities of the thoracolumbar and sacral spine. The Fibergraft Bioactive Glass (BG) is engineered to mimic the body's natural bone healing process. While previous studies have compared the use of Viper prime/Expedium spine system in minimally invasive and open surgeries, these studies did not specifically study the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who have received these implants in addition to Fibergraft. We aim to recruit patients with degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, trauma, and/or pseudarthrosis who require spine surgery under standard of care and use these implants. We will then follow these patients for a duration of two years to report their clinical and radiographic outcomes to determine fusion, complication rate, and revision surgeries if any.

Lumbar arthrodesis is more and more common in general population. Patients need early reeducation after surgery but do not always have access to a physiotherapist. The investigators aim to study the benefits of self-rehabilitation at home after lumbar arthrodesis, showing amelioration in lumbar pain and in quality of life for concerned patients. For this, the investigators designed a randomized-controlled study to test if self-rehabilitation at home right after surgery is superior than rehabilitation done by a physiotherapist 4 to 6 weeks after surgery (standard treatment for our patients).

For the increasing numbers of patients undergoing fusion procedures for the degenerative lumbar spine, infection and re-operation can negatively impact outcomes. Numerous observational and retrospective reviews have shown advantages to para-median versus midline approaches; however, recent systematic reviews have shown a need for a well-powered, prospective randomized control trials comparing both exposures. As a step towards a long-term goal of an RCT to address this issue, the purpose of this pilot study is to gather initial data to examine whether operative approach impacts the short-term infection rate, re-operation rate, length of stay, and overall costs to the system. Patients deemed appropriate surgical candidates with single or two-level degenerative spondylolisthesis will be approached for participation, and randomized into either the midline or paramedian group. Initial follow-ups will be at 2 and 6 weeks, and 3 months. Infection rates, inpatient and outpatient adverse events, re-operation rates, radiation exposure and costs will be determined. Cost effectiveness analysis will be estimated comparing each procedure using a bottom-up estimation. Post-operative wound infection can have a significant effect on patient short and long term outcomes. If a significant difference in infection rate is demonstrated, as well as lower re-operation rates, shorter stays, and decreased overall costs, adoption of paramedian approaches to single or two-level fusions of the lumbar spine might be suggested, providing fuel for a full-scale RCT.