In this study, all patients underwent conventional open surgeries. All operations were performed by the same experienced senior chief physician. The surgery was performed in the prone position. The paraspinal muscles were dissected, and the spinous processes, bilateral articular processes, and roots of the transverse processes were exposed. Titanium polyaxial pedicle screws (Legacy, Medtronic, USA) were inserted into the bilateral pedicles. Two titanium rods were properly bent and placed between the nuts to obtain a suitable sagittal curve, and the nuts were tightened to lock the rods. Next, laminectomy and spinal canal decompression were performed. Finally, bilateral modified facet joint fusion was performed, which was an innovative technique of the authors’ team [14 (link),15 (link)]. Briefly, a high-speed grinding drill was used to grind the articular surface of bilateral facet joints to create the bone graft bed. This bed was implanted with allogeneic cancellous bone granules and autologous cancellous bone.
The drainage tube was removed when the wound drainage volume was less than 100 mL/day. Then, the physician guided the patient to stand and walk under the protection of personalized lumbar support. All patients were recommended to increase their walking exercise 1 month after surgery. The lumbar support was removed 3 months postoperatively, and standard procedures such as lumbar floating, crouching, bending, and jogging were performed under guidance to strengthen the lumbar back muscles.
The drainage tube was removed when the wound drainage volume was less than 100 mL/day. Then, the physician guided the patient to stand and walk under the protection of personalized lumbar support. All patients were recommended to increase their walking exercise 1 month after surgery. The lumbar support was removed 3 months postoperatively, and standard procedures such as lumbar floating, crouching, bending, and jogging were performed under guidance to strengthen the lumbar back muscles.
