Table 3: Values are Sagittal Alignment Given as the Difference in Standard Deviation from an Age and Gender Adjusted Normal Population. Mean ±SD at Baseline and 9-Years Follow-Up in Fused and Non-Fused Patients and the Mean Difference (95% CI) Between Groups are Given

Level Lumbar Fusion (n= 23)1 No Lumbar Fusion (n=25)1 Adjusted2 Mean Difference Between Groups
Baseline 9-Years Baseline 9-Years
L2-L3 (non fused level) -0.07±1.01 -0.69±1.07** -0.21±0.87 -0.70±0.94** 0.24 (-0.30 to 0.78)
L3-L4 (non fused level) -0.34±1.19 -0.34±1.71 -0.41±1.37 -0.55±1.44 0.04 (-0.80 to 0.73)
L4-L5 (fused level) -0.32±1.21 -0.15±1.06 -1.06±1.31 -0.27±1.22** 0.13 (-0.49 to 0.75)
L5-S1 (fused level) 0.26±1.57 0.24±1.21 0.09±2.66 0.51±2.77* 0.32 (-0.33 to 0.99)

1 At level L5-S1: lumbar fusion n = 19 and no lumbar fusion n= 21.
2 Adjusted for previous discectomy and baseline values.
* p< 0.05
** p<0.01.