Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38714766›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2024

Long-term efficacy of Waveflex semi-rigid-dynamic-internal-fixation system in delaying intervertebral disc degeneration at adjacent segments and improving spinal sagittal imbalance.

Wenxin Gao, Xiaoying Wang, Yungang Chen, Guoyan Liu, Pengfei Hou, Cunliang Guo, Xu Yang, Yanke Hao

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Dynamic versus rigid lumbar fixation: A multimodal comparison of paraspinal muscle morphology, electromyography, and functional outcomes.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Article
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  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Wenxin GaoThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Xiaoying WangJinan Vocational College of Nursing, Jinan, Shandon, China.
Yungang ChenShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Guoyan LiuAffiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16369 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Pengfei HouAffiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16369 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Cunliang GuoTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Xu YangQingzhou People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China.
Yanke HaoAffiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16369 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, China. 202311010811023@zcmu.edu.cn.

Funding

Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation project ZR2021MH254Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation project ZR2022MH096
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The Waveflex semi-rigid-dynamic-internal-fixation system shows good short-term effects in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases, but there are few long-term follow-up studies, especially for recovery of sagittal balance. Fifty patients with lumbar degenerative diseases treated from January 2016 to October 2017 were retrospectively analysed: 25 patients treated with Waveflex semi-rigid-dynamic-internal-fixation system (Waveflex group) and 25 patients treated with double-segment PLIF (PLIF group). Clinical efficacy was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Imaging data before surgery and at 3 months, 1 year, and 5 years postoperatively was used for imaging indicator assessment. Local disc degeneration of the cephalic adjacent segment (including disc height index (DHI), intervertebral foramen height (IFH), and range of motion (ROM)) and overall spinal motor function (including lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and |PI-LL|) were analysed. Regarding clinical efficacy, comparison of VAS and ODI scores between the Waveflex and PLIF groups showed no significant preoperative or postoperative differences. The comparison of the objective imaging indicators showed no significant differences in the DHI, IFH, LL, |PI-LL|, and SS values between the Waveflex and PLIF groups preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively (P > 0.05). These values were significantly different at 1 and 5 years postoperatively (P < 0.05), and the Waveflex group showed better ROM values than those of the PLIF group (P < 0.05). PI values were not significantly different between the groups, but PT showed a significant improvement in the Waveflex group 5 years postoperatively (P < 0.05). The Waveflex semi-rigid dynamic fixation system can effectively reduce the probability of intervertebral disc degeneration in upper adjacent segments. Simultaneously, patients in the Waveflex group showed postoperative improvements in LL, spinal sagittal imbalance, and quality of life.

Indexed as

Intervertebral Disc DegenerationLumbar VertebraeAdultAgedFemaleHumansInternal FixatorsLordosisMaleMiddle AgedRange of Motion, ArticularRetrospective StudiesSpinal FusionTreatment OutcomeAdjacent segmental degenerationImaging parametersLumbar degenerative diseaseWaveflex semi-rigid dynamic fixation system

Identifiers

PMID38714766
PMCPMC11076526

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.