[Treatment of instability of the lumbar spine by glass-ceramic prostheses of the intervertebral disc.].

The authors evaluated the short-term results of stabilization operations of the lumbar spine by means of a glass-ceramics replacement of the intervertebral disc in a group of 25 patients. Indication for operation was monosegmental instability or spondylolisthesis grade I in the lumbar spine with progressing clinical symptoms. In 20 patients stabilization was achieved merely by a pair of glass-ceramic endoprostheses, in five patients the stabilization operation was supplemented by transpedicular instrumentation. Twenty-two patients, now 3-12 months after operation are better. In three patients the preoperative complaints persist, in one female patient due to a poorly performed operation and in two patients due to an incorrect surgical indication. Key words: instability of the lumbar spine, surgical stabilization of the lumbar spine by a glass-ceramic endoprosthesis.