Major adverse events approximated 8.6% with approach-related complaints of nerve irritation nearing 3.4%. Mild complications occurred in 13.7% of patients. Meralgia paresthetica was a primary approach-related complaint. Most complaints significantly reduced by first postoperative visit. One patient (1.7%) had symptoms lasting over a year that did not adversely affect function. Significant finding related to exposure, that is, 1-versus 2-level cases. Overall morbidity reduction noted by EBL is considerably less compared with the historical cohort. Direct lateral lumbar interbody fusion has proven to be of value.

In this group of patients from three centers, a metal-on-metal TDR resulted in a lymphocytic reaction causing subsequent failure of the surgery. This phenomenon has previously been recognized with metal bearings in hip arthroplasty. Surgeons using metal-on-metal TDRs should be aware of this possible occurrence.

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Although vertebral body collapse in an osteoporotic individual is relatively common, a case is reported of vertebral body collapse and subsequent necrosis without evidence of underlying disease at 48-month follow-up. The current findings support the diagnosis of idiopathic avascular necrosis of L4.