To estimate the outcomes after posterior dynamic stabilization in situ with Dynesys (Zimmer Spine, Minneapolis, MN) for treatment of symptomatic spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis in long-term follow-up.

28 patients(mean age 73 years old) with symptomatic spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis underwent inter-laminar decompression and stabilization with Dynesys. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically after a follow-up from 6 months to 4 years.

Pain on VAS and walking distance improved significantly at less than 2 years and remained unchanged at 4 years follow-up. Radiographically, spondylolisthesis did not progress and the motion segments remained stable. 2 patients showed screw-loosening at 1 year follow-up and underwent revision. Overall, patient satisfaction remained high as 93% and would undergo the same procedure again.

In elderly patients with spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis, decompression and dynamic stabilization lead to excellent clinical and radiologic results. It maintains enough stability to prevent progression of spondylolisthesis. Because no bone grafting is necessary, donor site morbidity, which is one of the main drawbacks of fusion is eliminated

Purpose: Arthrogryposis is a disease of muscular system, which is characterized by fibrous degeneration of muscles that leads to deformed and rigid joints. Aim of this study is to describe the deformities of the lower limbs and their surgical treatment.

Material – Methods: Twenty children (12 boys-8 girls) with distal arthrogyposis were treated in our department during the decade 1992–2002. The deformities of lower extremities were referred to hip, knee and foot. Congenital dislocation of hip joint was noticed in 4 patients that were treated by open reduction, while fixed flexion and adduction deformity was appeared in 8 patients that were treated by release of flexors and adductors muscles of hip. The main deformity in knee was fixed flexion deformity (19 patients), while hyperextension was presented only in one patient. The flexed knee was corrected with release or lengthening of hamstrings. The most frequent foot deformities were equinovarus deformity (17 patients) and fixed flexion deformity of toes (15 patients). Club foot was treated by posteromedial capsulectomy, lengthening of Achilles tendon, release of posterior tibialis and transfer of anterior tibialis in the lateral aspect of foot, while fixed flexion deformity of toes were corrected by release of flexor longus digitorum and palmar aponeurosis.

Results: All patients had postoperative correction of the deformities. Recurrence of the deformities was noticed in all patients after two years. Fifteen patients were re-operated 4 years after the first surgical treatment.

Conclusion: High degree of recurrent deformities of lower limbs is appeared after their surgical treatment, but this treatment is the only one for patients with distal arthrogryposis in order to succeed independent ambulation.