167. Assessment of the efficacy of teriparatide (Forteo) in patients undergoing posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion: a double-blinded randomized pilot study

Lumbar spinal fusion is an increasingly common procedure for treating degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. Non-solid fusion, or pseudarthrosis, at one year is a common complication associated with poor clinical outcomes and need for revision surgery. The risk of pseudarthrosis depends on the number of levels fused, the fusion material, and patient risk factors (osteoporosis, smoking, diabetes, etc.). Although there are multiple options for bone graft and osteoinductive materials, all have their benefits, side-effects and cost.

Source: The Spine Journal - August 23, 2019 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Shane Burch, Kevin Taliaferro, Sigurd H. Berven, Vedat Deviren Source Type: research