Introduction: Occurrence of mesh cage subsidence in patients undergoing anterior column reconstruction
following Tuberculosis spine is frequent radiological finding as bone quality of affected
vertebrae is poor. This study aims at determining effect of mesh cage subsidence on
functional outcome. Methods: Retrospective demographics of 30 patients of consecutive series in age range 4-60
year were collected with Clinical outcome evaluation using VAS, ODI and ASIA scale.
30 patient having Dorsolumbar tuberculosis with vertebral involvement ranging from
1-6 with mean vertebral level involvement of 2.71, underwent anterior column reconstruction
through posterior only approach between 2011-15 were reviewed. Patients were followed
at regular intervals of 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months & thereafter on yearly basis.
They were evaluated for interbody height loss with subsidence, fusion & segmental
angle. Results: Clinical parameters i.e. VAS & ODI showed improvement in postoperative period which
continued to remain same even after subsidence (P < 0.05). Subsidence was categorized
as combined anterior + posterior < 5mm; 5 -10mm; >10mm. ODI at follow up was 8.5 ±4.62,
9 ± 2 and 9 ± 4.2 (P = 0.961) respectively & VAS score in above group was 1.3 ± 0.51,
1.5 ± 1.2 & 1.5 ± 0.7 (P = 0.975) respectively. Subsidence was age, spinal level nonspecific.
Conclusion: Study indicates that though Cage subsidence occurs to varying severity due to weakened
vertebral bodies, it did not have significant impact on functional outcome in terms
of VAS, ODI or radiological evidence of fusion following reconstruction in Spinal
tuberculosis.
Key-words:
Cage subsidence - mesh cage - spinal tuberculosis