[Surgical possibilities in the alleviation of degenerative vertebral instability]

The indications for operative treatment of degenerative lumbar instability are spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. It is important that the indication is based upon a thorough clinical and radiological assessment of the patient. Psychometric tests should be included in the preoperative evaluation. The surgical technique consists for most of the cases of a dorso-lateral fusion. To increase the fusion rate, a pedicular segmental instrumentation system is used. The clinical results for the treatment of degenerative lumbar instability are in more than 80% acceptable. Best results are achieved in spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.