Decompression Alone Versus Decompression with Fusion for Treatment of Degenerative Spinal Foraminal Stenosis: A Systematic Review

Description

The presentation by Duncan Whittaker discusses Instrumented Lumbar Decompression for Degenerative Spinal Foraminal Stenosis, highlighting its prevalence as a painful condition often resulting from aging. Key points include the mechanisms of spinal foraminal stenosis, conventional management strategies ranging from conservative therapies like physiotherapy to surgical interventions, and a systematic review of the literature comparing outcomes of decompression alone to decompression with fusion. Whittaker identifies significant limitations in existing studies, including variability in definitions, diagnosis, and practices in decompression techniques, which complicate the assessment of treatment effectiveness. He proposes a new classification system for foraminal stenosis to enhance research clarity and significantly mentions the lack of high-quality evidence regarding the comparative efficacy of surgical options. The session concludes with an interactive discussion on the management and surgical approaches to decompression.

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