Imaging analysis of adjacent segment disease combined with retrolisthesis after posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a preliminary cross-sectional comparative study

ASD combined with retrolisthesis was the most common of the three patterns of ASD, and patients with this condition had severe degeneration of discs and facet joints and significant atrophy of the MF. Reduced disc height, severe disc degeneration, and atrophy of the MF were the risk factors for ASD combined with retrolisthesis. In summary, we hypothesize that early lumbar muscle-strengthening exercises may reduce ASD risk in patients with adjacent vertebral retrolisthesis detected on postoperative follow-up radiographs after lumbar fusion. This should be validated in controlled, prospective studies.