To compare the clinical effects between the polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rod-based dynamic internal fixation system and traditional rigid internal fixation in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease.

From June 2014 to June 2017, a retrospective analysis was performed on 47 patients with lumbar degenerative disease. According to the internal fixation materials used, the patients was divided into either a PEEK rod-based internal fixation group (21 cases) or titanium rod-based rigid internal fixation group (26 cases). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, surgical complications, time to ambulation, and hospitalization time were compared between the two groups. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score were also compared.

The patients were followed for 18 to 36 months, with a mean follow-up period of (24.4±6.5) months. There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, or time to ambulation (P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in ODI score or VAS score at 1 and 3 months after operation, although the scores were significantly better in the PEEK rod-based internal fixation group than in the titanium rod-based rigid internal fixation group at the last follow-up (ODI: 14.3±2.4 vs 21.8±5.2, t=2.45, P<0.05; VAS: 6.32±0.81 vs 5.15±1.02, t=3.43, P=0.021). In terms of complications, there was no degeneration of adjacent segments during the follow-up period in the PEEK rod group, while two patients in the titanium rod fixation group had degeneration of three segments accompanied by sciatica symptoms, which were conservatively treated and partially relieved. There were no internal fixation fractures or loosening during the follow-up period.

In the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases, PEEK rod-based dynamic internal fixation system can obtain better long-term clinical efficacy and less complications than the traditional internal fixation system.