Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Non-fusion technology can avoid the loss of original biomechanical function or aggravation of intervertebral disc as a result of intervertebral discectomy and spinal fusion fixation for the treatment of lumbar vertebral degenerative lesions.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the characteristics and treatment efficacy of various lumbar interspinous fusion implants, as well as their biomechanical changes after implantation.
METHODS: An online retrieval was performed among PubMed database and Chinese CNKI database between 1990 and 2012 for articles about lumbar interspinous fusion implants in the treatment of spinal degenerative disease.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 31 documents were screened out. Interspinous non-fusion implants can open spinous process gap at lesioned segments, prevent excessive extension, accordingly increase the spinal canal cross-sectional area and foraminal height, reduce the loads of intervertebral disc and facet joint, regulate abnormal activity, preserve motor function to prevent the degeneration of adjacent segment, maintain normal state activity of the instable lumbar vertebra, and realize the dynamic reconstruction of lumbar sequence. According to its characteristics, lumbar interspinous implants are divided into two kinds, namely static and dynamic, which are representative of X-STOP and Coflex, respectively. Due to different lumbar interspinous non-fusion implants possess various characteristics and indications, it is suggested that physicians should clearly identify the disease causes, choose the most appropriate interspinous non-fusion device for individual treatment, and make the implants more consistent with physiological stress distribution.