Introduction:

Low back pain by herniated disc is caused by abnormal intersomatic movement, considering this as an etiological factor of disc herniation and the surgical indication.

Material and methods:

A prospective, descriptive, observational, longitudinal study design, in a period from January 2000 to December 2006. Initial sample of 195 patients, with inclusion criteria in 20 patients at seven years follow up. Demographic, dependent and independent variables were taken into account. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted comparing preoperative with evolution to seven years.

Results:

Two groups were compared: dynamic interspinous stabilization and lumbar arthroplasty, with 10 patients for each procedure. Using T and χ2 test, statistical significance was observed when comparing the results of pain and Oswestry scale with parameters of imaging according to Pfirrmann pre surgical against final follow-up in patients undergoing dynamic stabilization. And for Arthroplasty was statistically meaningful comparison of results of pain with VAS (visual analogue scale) and function with Oswestry scale, with a p < 0.05.

Conclusion:

With this work we can see that there was statistical significance to compare clinical outcomes of both procedures, observing a minimum percentage of complications in patients who underwent dynamic stabilization compared with arthroplasty; therefore we suggest to perform the latter only in cases in all criteria, to meet adequately to be equal to the anticipated clinical and functional outcomes.