Objective:

This research was designed to probe into the effects of unilateral and bilateral pedicle screw fixation on the VAS scores of low back pain, leg pain, ODI indexes and JOA scores in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.

Methods:

Totally 113 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases admitted in our hospital from February 2016 to December 2018 were collected as the research objects. Among them, 52 received bilateral pedicle screw fixation (BPSF) and 61 were treated by unilateral pedicle screw fixation (UPSF). The intraoperative blood loss, time of operation and hospitalization, and incidence of perioperative complications of the two groups were compared. The VAS scores, ODI indexes and JOA scores were assessed before operation and 6 and 12 months after treatment. The intervertebral fusion rates were compared, and the quality of life was evaluated by SF-36.

Results:

The intraoperative blood loss in the observation group (OG) was higher than that in the control group (CG) (P<0.05), while the time of operation and hospital stay were obviously shorter (P<0.05). There was no marked difference in the incidence of perioperative complications (P>0.05). Before treatment, there was no remarkable difference in the VAS scores of low back pain, leg pain, ODI indexes and JOA scores (P>0.05). At 6 and 12 months after treatment, the first two parameters were remarkably lower than those before treatment, but the rest of the parameters were dramatically higher (P<0.05). The VAS scores and ODI indexes of the OG were markedly lower than those of the CG, while the JOA scores, fusion rates and quality of life were obviously higher (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Bilateral pedicle screw fixation is valid and safe on lumbar degenerative diseases, which can improve patients’ quality of life.