[Posterior interbody fusion or posterolateral fusion for discogenic low back pain]

To investigate the surgical results of posterior interbody fusion or posterolateral fusion for discogenic low back pain.

Thirty-two patients suffering from lumbar discogenic pain were randomly divided into two groups, one group undergoing posterior interbody fusion with cage (cage group, 17 patients), the other group undergoing posterolateral lumbar fusion with RF fixation (RF group, 15 patients). Low back pain improvement and lumbar fusion rate were followed up for at least two years.

The low back pain improvement rate was 87% in cage group, and 76% in RF group one year after surgery. Pain improvement rate was up to 89% in cage group, and 81% in RF group two years after surgery. A solid arthrodesis rate was 88% in cage group and 87% in RF group one year after surgery, and was up to 92% in cage group, and 90% in RF group two years after surgery.

Posterior interbody fusion for lumbar discogenic pain have a better clinical result than posterolateral fusion for discogenic low back pain. Interbody fusion is of choice for lumbar discogenic pain.