Results of minimally invasive lumbar fusion in professional athletes: a single-center retrospective study

Byvaltsev V.A.; Kalinin A.A.; Shepelev V.V.; Pestryakov Yu.Ya.; Aliyev M.A.; Konovalov N.A.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/neiro20218504112

Byvaltsev V.A.

Irkutsk State Medical University;
Private Healthcare Institution «Clinical Hospital «Russian Railways-Medicine»;
Irkutsk State Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education

Kalinin A.A.

Irkutsk State Medical University;
Private Healthcare Institution «Clinical Hospital «Russian Railways-Medicine»

Shepelev V.V.

Irkutsk State Medical University

Pestryakov Yu.Ya.

Irkutsk State Medical University

Aliyev M.A.

Irkutsk State Medical University

Konovalov N.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center

ORCID: 0000-0003-0824-1848

Results of minimally invasive lumbar fusion in professional athletes: a single-center retrospective study

Authors:

Byvaltsev V.A., Kalinin A.A., Shepelev V.V., Pestryakov Yu.Ya., Aliyev M.A., Konovalov N.A.

More about the authors

Journal: Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery. 2021;85(4): 12‑19

DOI: 10.17116/neiro20218504112

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To cite this article:

Byvaltsev VA, Kalinin AA, Shepelev VV, Pestryakov YuYa, Aliyev MA, Konovalov NA. Results of minimally invasive lumbar fusion in professional athletes: a single-center retrospective study. Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery. 2021;85(4):12‑19. (In Russ., In Engl.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/neiro20218504112

Подписка 2025 Журнал «Вопросы нейрохирургии» имени Н.Н. Бурденко (Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery)

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Abstract:

Professional athletes have a high basic level of physical fitness and significant motivation for returning to previous rhythm of functional activity within the shortest period after trauma without deterioration of baseline level of sportsmanship. Despite the well-presented results of lumbar spine fusion in general population, these data among professional athletes are not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the results of minimally invasive lumbar fusion in professional athletes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study included 27 athletes (19 men and 8 women) aged 29 (26; 34) years after minimally invasive lumbar spine decompression and fusion via anterior, lateral and posterior approaches. Total lumbar lordosis, degenerative changes in adjacent segment, area of multifidus muscle, perioperative complications and timing of sports rehabilitation were analyzed within 3—5 (mean 4) years after surgery.

RESULTS

We found an increase of total lumbar lordosis from 35.2° to 44.1° (p=0.02), no significant muscle atrophy (<30%) and degeneration of adjacent segment (p>0.05). There were 5 perioperative complications (18.5%). Mean period of sports rehabilitation was 14 (9; 17) weeks. One (3.7%) patient did not return to his previous sports career.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive short-segment lumbar interbody fusion in professional athletes is characterized by low risk of fixation element failure, no significant degeneration of adjacent level and postoperative muscle atrophy. This procedure ensures early rehabilitation and returning to sports.

Keywords:

professional athletes

degenerative diseases

lumbar spine

minimally invasive interbody fusion

transpedicular stabilization

return to sports

Authors:

Byvaltsev V.A.

Irkutsk State Medical University;
Private Healthcare Institution «Clinical Hospital «Russian Railways-Medicine»;
Irkutsk State Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education

Kalinin A.A.

Irkutsk State Medical University;
Private Healthcare Institution «Clinical Hospital «Russian Railways-Medicine»

Shepelev V.V.

Irkutsk State Medical University

Pestryakov Yu.Ya.

Irkutsk State Medical University

Aliyev M.A.

Irkutsk State Medical University

Konovalov N.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center

ORCID: 0000-0003-0824-1848

Received:

15.09.2020

Accepted:

28.05.2021

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References:

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