A study was undertaken to see the efficacy of backfilling the iliac crest post harvesting on postoperative pain levels and overall functional outcomes.

A randomized study was undertaken in which twenty patients were divided into two groups: one received backfilling of the iliac crest with corralline hydroxyapatite and the other did not.

All patients underwent posterior instrumented lumbar fusion’s with all evaluated for diagnosis, age, levels fused, and risk factors. Comparisions were made evaluating: postoperative pain, time to mobilization, rehabilitation levels, and incorporation of the corralline. Follow-up was a minimum of two years with patients still being followed.

Results revealed a reduction of pain on the analog pain scale in the corralline group compared to the non-backfilled group. This was seen at three days, two weeks, one month, three months, six months, one and two years. Pain levels were reported at one at three months and zero at six months, one and two years in the corralline group compared to five at three months and four at six months and three at one and two years. Time to mobilization was one day sooner in the corralline group. Functional outcomes were seen to be better in the corralline group as well. Incorporation of the corralline hydroxyapatite was seen in all patients.

Back-filling the iliac crest has shown to decrease pain, increase functional outcomes and produce a sooner time to mobilization and physical therapy than the non-filled iliac crest.