No abstract

Although there was a trend toward increased pain in patients whose fusion extended to L4 or L5, there was no statistically significant association between the distal level of fusion and incidence of subsequent back pain, both with and without stratification according to severity of back pain. Because of the limitations of published research, the effect of fusion into the lower lumbar spine on back pain is unknown. Higher quality studies with long-term follow-up and consistent reporting of outcomes are needed.