Skeletal fixation of the lumbar spine.

Low back pain is a large and increasing cause of workers compensation claims in all industrialized nations. In the United States, 23% of all compensation claims involved back pain. Almost 90% of these were self limiting sprains and strains. It has been estimated that the remaining 10% account for approximately 75% of lost work days, medical costs and permanent disability payments. It is the goal of the spine surgeon to provide the patient with relief from his symptoms and return him or her to the work place. Advances in lumbar skeletal fixation have increased the fusion rate, decreased hospital stay and immobilization and decreased morbidity associated with lumbar spinal fusions.